New Delhi : Religion and creative freedom are once again on a collision course! Barely days after the cartoon controversy hit the Middle East and the West, India has been hit by one of its own. Needless to say, it has evoked passionate and strong reactions from our surfers.
An art gallery in Chennai was host to painting exhibition by artist MF Hussain. His painting depicted Mother India in the nude and that seems to have miffed many.
People are livid that Hindu concepts are being attacked again and again. They speak against the biased version of secularism being practiced in India. They are angry that a Muslim has the tenacity to defame Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Arnab from Kolkata expresses his anger so. "This is what secularism in India is all about. It’s all about maligning Hindus. Why are so called seculars silent on this issue? Is it the fear of losing Muslim vote bank or they receive huge money from Arabs?"
Karunesh from Mumbai chose to make very personal comments. "Will these artists and their supporters draw their own people in such a fashion?" he asks haughtily.
Karunesh thinks MF Hussain is a "free and frank" artist, but his "silliness has proved that he is a cheap artist". He directs his ire against Dadiba Pundole, owner of Pundole Art Gallery, known for its collection and frequent showing of Hussain’s works.
Here’s what he says. "Pundole’s love for such silly art would be proved if you ask Hussain to paint your family members and you in nude and put them in your gallery."
He adds that Bollywood and artists like Hussain were responsible for a "below standard social environment". "It is really shameful of Hussain who painted Mother India in nude. A criminal case should be preceded against him for dishonoring our country," he fumes.
Thakur Ranjit Singh from Auckland, New Zealand hit hard at Hussain. "This painter Hussain has painted all Hindu ladies in nude. Why does he expect Hindus to sit idle?" he asks. Clearly, art and religion together remains a rather touchy affair.
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