This is a response to some specific comments in another forum but am cross posting here in the interests of Art and to clear a lot of misgivings about Hussain. The links provided should do the trick!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are fascists and fundamentalists in all religions. In Afghanistan, the Taliban destroyed the Buddhist Bamiyan statues, which were historical and archaeological wonders. Here in India, we seem to be keen on doing the same. The tests of one religion cannot be applied to make a case of an offence in another religion. Beef is perfectly acceptable to the Catholics whereas it is considered unholy in the Hindu religion (or at least to a significant percentage of Hindus). Ditto with pork to the Muslims. So what may constitute an offence in one religion may not be an offence in another. Every religion has its own strengths and weaknesses. Hinduism has always portrayed its Gods and Goddesses in a liberal manner, including in an erotic or a sensual way. That is the strength and the beauty of the Hindu religion. Radical outfits want to destroy the rich ethos and cultural heritage of Hinduism. Organizations like the Sanatan Saunstha and the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti are outfits which are chipping away the essence and spirit of Hinduism. It is unfortunate that Hindus are getting carried away by false and malicious propaganda by outfits who understand nothing of Art. Hussain is truly a shining luminary in India's glorious skies. His paintings are sensual masterpieces, similar to the thousands of sensual sculptures that adorn the houses of the Hindus. Let's not get carried away and apply the tests of other religions to determine what is right and what is wrong in Hussain's Art. Artists and sculptors in India have always played around with nudity in Hindu Art. By drawing Hindu deities sensually, Hussain has in no way abused Hinduism. He has merely replicating our age-old Hindu traditions which find our Gods uncovered and pure, where nudity has been widely used in art, including in countless sculptures and carvings on temple walls. The sensual depiction of Krishna with Radha and the Gopis can be traced in Rajasthani Art. http://www.geocities.com/radhainathens/links_files/intimate_radha-krsna.jpg http://www.geocities.com/radhainathens/links_files/radha-krsna0.jpg http://www.dhushara.com/paradoxhtm/tantra/krishna.gif Such Erotic depictions can be seen in the Lajja-gouris of El lora, the images of Modhera, Konark and Khajuraho, in various sculptures that are sold, and/or preserved and displayed in museums, in Temple Art and Temple Idols in various Hindu temples across the globe. Some links were provided in my earlier posts. Here are a few more. http://flickr.com/photos/gabisa_motonia/2376916635/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2232/2376916635_2f1993d1d0.jpg http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YKWqv2J0EeE/SM3hrQQ5hvI/AAAAAAAABqY/7lsWC3QIOHw/SSA41365.JPG http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/lotus-sculpture_2030_19459196 http://flickr.com/photos/tx/2858839723/ http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/lotus-sculpture_2028_11262966 http://www.britishmuseum.org/images/ps185355_l.jpg http://lotussculpture.com/images/shiv4.jpg http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/lotus-sculpture_2031_0 http://rainer.typke.org/typo3temp/GB/07ac4f615c.png http://flickr.com/photos/tx/2858799469/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Erotic_depiction_at_Candi_Sukuh.jpg http://flickr.com/photos/cairodusk/3097771172/ http://flickr.com/photos/cairodusk/3096917107/ http://flickr.com/photos/brooksversusindia/104237514/ http://flickr.com/photos/shrimaitreya/311218100/ http://flickr.com/photos/tx/2859649636/ cheers Sandeep
