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A poster paying tribute to artist
M.F. Husain designed by Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust. |
New Delhi:
Artists, performers, art protagonists and culture volunteers from
across the country will converge in the capital July 2 to
celebrate the life and times of Maqbool Fida Husain.
Husain, 'MF' to his fraternity, revered as an unmatched master by
his admirers, passed away June 9 in London at 95.
Hosted by a capital-based socio-cultural forum, SAHMAT (Safdar
Hashmi Memorial Trust), the tribute will be a "send-off to the
artist, whom most of his compatriots, fellow painters and
thousands of fans in India could not meet before his death in
London or attend his funeral", said long-time friend, artist and
coordinator of the mega tribute, Ram Rahman of SAHMAT.
Three of Husain's children - Shamshad Husain, Owais Husain and
Raisa Husain - will share their memories of the artist, a doting
father. Several senior artists like Anjolie Ela Menon and Ram
Kumar will recall their associations with Husain, Rahman said.
"We will honour Husain, the forerunner of public art, whose
contribution to public artscape has been immense," Rahman told
IANS.
The tribute will begin with an assembly at the 75-year-old
Dhoomimal Gallery in Connaught Place (A Block) where Husain had
painted several murals in the corridor in 1962, Rahman said.
"The gallery will exhibit Husain's art work from the collection
which the artist painted on his 94th birthday. Our organisation
will present a tribute exhibition that the art students of Jamia
Millia Islamia had mounted on Husain's 94th birthday. The students
of the arts faculty of the Jamia Millia had interpreted Husain and
his art on canvas as part of a special commemorative project. This
is the first time we will bring it to the public," Rahman said.
The assembly will march in a procession to the Connaught Place
Metro Station and board a train to the Vithalbhai Patel House
(V.P. House) on Rafi Marg here, Rahman said.
"They will be attired in T-shirts and scarves with portraits of
Husain's profiles (imprints of the artist's self portraits), carry
traditional Indian lanterns - a recurring motif in Husain's art -
and umbrellas inscribed with prints of Husain art works and
poetry," Rahman said.
At 6 p.m., Husain's 1967 cinematic debut, "Through the Eyes of a
Painter", will be screened on the lawns of V.P. House.
"We chose the V.P. House as the venue because there is a very big
mural with Nehru's image on the CSIR building that Husain
painted," Rahman said.
The CSIR building is opposite to the V.P. House across the Rafi
Marg.
A "shaadi band-baaja" - traditional wedding band - will keep the
guests entertained.
"The spirit will be one of celebration; basking in the colours and
the quality of life that Husain - the man and the artist- lived
with such zest," Rahman said.
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