Painting exhibition on terrorism fuels row in MP

Bhopal, May 17 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh capital's multi-art centre Bharat Bhavan, which is ironically in the midst of controversies in its silver jubilee year, has become embroiled in a fresh dispute over a painting exhibition on terrorism.

Painters and intellectuals slammed the situation by saying that such disputes dealt a body blow to the Bhavan's prestige. They feel that the paintings and their theme ought to have been reviewed prior to the exhibition entitled 'The Face of Terror'. The exhibition was closed last evening following a demonstration.

''This is an attack on the Freedom of Expression. A meeting later today will decide whether the exhibition will be wound up,'' the Bhavan's painting section 'Rupankar' head Shobha Ghare told UNI.

The event, by Bhavan's painter Kailash Tiwari, featured about two dozen works and got underway on Tuesday. Meanwhile, certain organisations demanded a ban on the exhibition by alleging that it depicted a certain community as responsible for terrorism.

Recently, the Bhavan witnessed an ego clash between Trustee Secretary Rameshwar Mishra 'Pankaj' and Chairman D P Sinha over some appointments. Secular Manch representatives and a few Congress leaders staged a demonstration last evening in the Bhavan's art gallery demanding Tiwari's arrest. The situation deteriorated to an extent where the management had to summon police.

The All-India Muslim Tyohar Committee and some other organisations described the exhibition as vitiating communal harmony, demanded that it be wound up and action taken against the artist.

''The dispute is unfortunate. I had no prior knowledge of the event,'' said Bhavan Board of Trustees Member and painter Dileep Chinchalkar.

On being asked about the community being allegedly depicted objectionably, he said that he had not viewed the works but would definitely mention, at the Board of Trustees meeting, that the Bhavan should not be embroiled in such disputes.

''I viewed the paintings and am saddened that such works were exhibited. It seems that the painter concerned gained access to the art gallery due to political influence. Terrorism has no face.

It is a condemnable crime against humanity. An artist's work is to link people with art,'' said sculptor Robin David.

Pointing out that he vociferously protested when artist Maqbool Fida Hussain created an allegedly objectionable painting of Goddess Durga, he added that Hussain ultimately apologised.

UNI