M F Hussain should end exile for sake of art: Akhilesh

Bhopal, Oct 26 (UNI) Demanding end of protest against veteran and controversial painter M F Hussain, noted painter Akhilesh Singh urged that Hussain should end his self exile and come back for the sake of art and culture in India.

''The paintings of Mr Hussain is his way of expression and showcasing his ideas which should not be misinterpreted,'' Mr Akhilesh told UNI over telephone from Mumbai today, adding that the way his art was dragged into controversies was a political ploy.

Defending Hussain, he said that the veteran was working in his own Indian tradition but people were politicising his creativity just to get cheap publicity.

''There is nothing anti-religious in his paintings its just the matter of vision and understanding,'' he claimed.

Terming Hussain's style as ''Bible of Painting'', he said besides being vital and known Hussain is one of the greatest painter of the time.

Akhilesh, who is in the art from three decades, strongly believed that the real is that which surpasses borders, evokes emotions and able to shake ones thoughts.

''I am writing a biography on Hussain since five-six years and it will take sometime to finish it as the veteran is busy in his hectic life,'' asserted Akhilesh, adding that Hussain will design the cover himself and will also decide the title.

Talking about artists in the 'City of Lakes', he said that in 1982 on the inauguration function of Bharat Bhawan, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said,''Bhopal is the cultural capital of the country.'' He said that 18 city-based artists were appreciated in California recently and this city had produced several artists of international fame including Gundecha Brothers, Uday Bhawadha, Alpana Bajpai, Dhruv Shukl.

''Hence one can not claim that Bhopal lacked in art or artists.

Also, no question or obstacle on the path of creative arts arises here,'' averred Akhilesh, whose art galleries were accoladed in Singapore, USA, Canada and France.

The realisation of colours was difficult to handle. There should be a dialogue between two opposite colours with their correct tone to develop a 'sahcharya' friendship between them to paint a mesmerising painting, he added.

UNI KV PS 1247