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5th Annual Konkan Fruit Fest
Promenade, D B Bandodkar Road, Panaji, Goa
16-18, May 2008
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-May/073789.html
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Thank you, Sandeep Heble, for your response.
You say that the paintings were done a long time ago but the controversy rose
now. This is correct. What you have to realise is that only when the
paintings became public knowledge, that the people reacted. What I am given
to understand is that when they were published in some books, relating to
arts, these paintings became known.
However, if your argument of a long time ago is to be taken to the logical
conclusion, then a crime committed some years ago, but came to light only now,
should go unpunished. I hope you are not saying this.
Re your comment on the titles. I have not see the HJS exhibition, so I will
accept your contention of mistitling. Again, I hope you are not saying that
the figures in the paintings are not those who the objectors say they are. I
have not heard anyone disputing that they are Hindu gods and goddesses. And
in any case, if they are indeed NOT gods and goddesses, then the argument of
Hindu 'tolerance' does not come into picture. Shifting the goal post does not
lead to an informed discussion.
Sandeep says: "The entire smear campaign against Hussain is based on
untruths." How so? Are the paintings NOT of Hindu gods and goddesses?
Sandeep says: "These artists mentioned to me that several Hindu artists were
even more liberal when it came to representing Hindu deities and that Hussain
was unfortunately being singled out because he was a Muslim." Kindly let me
know who else has been 'more liberal' than Hussain? I am hearing this for the
first time.
Re the allegation that Hussain was targetted because he is a Muslim. I think
this is absurd. Sandeep may be aware of the student at Maharaja Sayaji
University in Vadodara, whose painting of Hindu dieties were objected to. He
is not a Muslim. This issue too was discussed on this forum.
(Incidentally, a club in South Mumbai requested Hussain to leave the premises
because he was barefooted in an area where it is not permitted. Does this also
mean that he was targetted because he is a Muslim? When the allegation of
match fixing against Azharuddin first surfaced, he too claimed that he was
targetted because he is a Muslim.)
Re Sashi Tharoor's comment. This is a classic case of finding a reason to fit
with the situation. What Tharoor is essentially saying, then, is that nude
and erotic depicition of Hindu gods and goddesses is a rule. Does Sandeep
agree with his contention?
Sandeep should realise that Tarun Tejpal, who would classify himself as a
secularists, did find Hussain's painting that he saw as being 'incredibily
erotic'. I am sure Tejpal is no supporter of organisations like HJS or VHP.
RE Hussain doing a series on Mahabharat and Ramayan, when he was not known. I
am sure Hussain is not the only one who has done so. However, the moot point
is whether this gives license to him to undertake erotic depiction of Hindu
gods and goddesses. Sandeep said that Hussain did those paintings when he was
'virtually broke'. In that case should he not be grateful that the Hindu gods
and goddesses enabled him to acquire immense wealth? Of course, I am making a
polemic argument here.
Sachin Phadte
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