An Artist in Exile Tests India’s Democratic Ideals

Mr. Maqbool Fida Husain is one of India’s most famous painters. He is currently living in the United Arab Emirates, but he is afraid to go back to his homeland in India because of political and religious reasons. Mr. Husain is a Muslim who is fond of painting Hindu goddesses, sometimes even portraying them as nude. His obsession of painting such powerful figures in the Hindu religion naked has undoubting lead Hindu nationalists to take actions in their own hands. These nationalists have attacked art galleries and museums which exhibit his works. They have also offered a $1 million dollar reward for his head. It is no wonder why Mr. Husain would have fear of returning home to India. The article also states that he has been living in self-imposed exile in Dubai because of his ongoing fears of encountering a Hindu nationalist on the streets. To a certain degree I can see why these Hindu nationalist would be offended by some of these naked portraits of their worshippers, but I really did not see any justification in the offering of $1 million dollars for his head, this is clearly going too far. I believe this story is quite similar to the protests of Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses. These individuals really take these matters far too seriously. Sure it may be a bit offensive to them, but a good point is made in this article. Is Mr. Husain not entitled to his freedom of speech and expression? Is he not entitled to paint whatever his heart desires? Mr. Husain to his defence said he did not wish to offend anyone. He loves to paint these Hindu goddesses, even if some are naked because to him, nudity in art depicts purity and is in fact an honour. While this may be an insightful to many, I decided to do a little research about his paintings. Oddly enough I found something very interesting. He did a painting which showed Hitler naked in his portrait. It was strongly suggested that he despised Hitler, yet he portrayed him naked. Did he not say that nudity in art depicts purity and honour? Something seems to be contradicting itself here. I don’t think he is suggesting that Hitler was an honourable person, but something about his statement does not seem right. It brings to my conclusion that while the actions of the Hindu nationalist has been uncalled for, it does allow them to question his motives and methods of painting. If I was a Hindu, I would certainly question these paintings without a doubt because he has many of these goddesses portrayed naked and yet he has also decided to paint Hitler naked as well. I can now firmly see why these Hindu’s feel insulted by his paintings. It makes one question; what was Mr. Husain’s real intention in his paintings?



Article by: SOMINI SENGUPTA
New York Times
Published: November 9, 2008
Section A1