MF Hussain's art disrespects women: Dr Pravana Prakash | |||||||
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Says artist Dr Pravana Prakash, who wants to send a message to the great master through his exhibition
Maqbool Fida Hussain has been caught in the buff. Afterdecades of depicting women in the nude, including Bharatmata and manyHindu goddesses, on his canvas, the controversial master artist hasbeen painted doing a Full Monty by a young amateur artist from Delhi. Ironically, the artist shows a woman painting the nude master!  Controversy framed Theartist, Dr Pravana Prakash, an Institute of Management Technology (IMT)graduate from Ghaziabad, has created a canvas that shows a woman artistpainting Hussain, as he stands framed against his trademark works. Inthe painting, Hussain is depicted standing with a weasel and a palette.And the artist's inspiration for this controversial painting seems tobe a group of woman painters who had taken offence at the master'sdepiction of the fairer sex in uncompromising positions.  "Ihave no grudge against Hussain. But he depicts women as objects, andthat is wrong. His work disrespects women. The idea to paint Hussain inthe nude was mooted by a group of women painters. But they were afraidto take on such a famous person. I hope through my paintings themessage is conveyed to him," the artist said. Taking a stand The exhibition, titled 'Stop That' includes frames that highlight violence against women. Theartist says his paintings reflect his anger against those whodisrespect women and justify violence against the fairer sex in thename of tradition. "There has been an increase in attacks on women inthe name of moral policing. It is nothing but male chauvinism. Thehooligans who attacked the pub in Mangalore in January said they wereangered by girls drinking and having fun. But they conveniently choseto ignore boys who were doing the same. Does Western culture corruptgirls alone? This duplicity is the distorted face of modern Indiantradition. And I oppose this," said Dr Prakash. "We can notafford to remain silent and be a mute spectator to women beingmistreated. We have to take a stand against what happened in Mangalore,to author Taslima Nasrin in Kolkata and to nuns in churches,highlighted by Sister Jesme in her book about sexual repression of nunsin Kerala. This series is my way of protesting."  The talk of town Theexhibition, inaugurated on Independence Day, at All India Fine Arts andCrafts Society (AIFACS), Connaught Place, is attracting eyeballs. Thenude Hussain is in the spotlight. Rakhi Kapoor, a student of Fine Artsfrom Delhi University, visiting the exhibition, said, "MF Hussain hasbeen known for his controversial paintings. Now he has been painted inthe same frame. This should make him stop depicting others in aderogatory manner." But not everybody is happy with thecontroversial canvas. Another visitor, a student of National MuseumInstitute, said, "Everybody has the freedom of expression but this isnot the right way. Male nude is hardly attractive." Interestingly,Dr Prakash's paintings were rejected by many galleries before AIFACSstepped forward. "Most were too scared to take on an artist ofHussain's stature," said Dr Prakash. The exhibition will end on August 21. The artist Bornand brought up in Patna, Prakash completed his Bachelor of Medicinefrom Nalanda University. After 9/11 halted his plans to study in theUS, he studied Business Management from IMT, Ghaziabad. Thisis not the first time Dr Prakash has taken a stand against social evilsthrough his art. He has spoken out against political corruption andxenophobia in the West. "As an artist, I feel responsible aboutsociety. Instead of just expressing my creative self, I like to reactto issues ailing the human kind," he said. |
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