Leaders condole death of Husain as national loss

New Delhi, Jun 9: Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were among a host of leaders who today (June 9) condoled the death of artist M F Husain, describing him as a "legend" whose passing away is a "national loss".

In his condolence message, Ansari said Husain was a keen observer of national evolution which was reflected in his art.

"I am deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of Maqbool Fida Husain, a legend of art of our times. To most Indians, he came to represent modern Indian art. Besides his enormous achievements in painting and other art forms, Husain was a keen observer of our national evolution which was reflected in his art," he said.

Ansari noted that Husain captured public imagination with his portrayal of important personalities and events and his death is an immense loss to the nation and to the artistic community. "He will always be remembered for his love of India that was reflected in his paintings," he said.

Singh condoled the death of the 95-year-old painter, terming it as a "national loss" while Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said Husain's death has created a "vacuum in the creative world".

Describing Husain as an "eminent and respected" personality, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said his artworks have been displayed with great interest for public viewing.

"He was invited to India ...I do not remember on how many occasions. It's very unfortunate that narrow minded people look at art and creativity with same perspective, but the majority of Indian people have never supported their views," Soni said when asked about protests against him by right-wing activists.

PTI