I wrote this essay for Nukta Art in September, for its November issue which has just been published
Beena Sarwar
Communalism Combat cover, March 2009: Fighting back
The campaign against the iconic Indian artist Maqbool Fida Husain, perhaps the most prominent living symbol of art under attack, is part of the political fight for India’s soul – secular democracy versus a ‘Hindu’ state.
Several interrelated issues arise from this situation, linked with intent, identity, politics, religion, the role of the state, and of course the nature of ‘art’ itself. The illogical controversy has unfortunately been allowed to overshadow the artist’s phenomenal, critically acclaimed work itself both in India and abroad.
Filed under: Communalism | Tagged: BJP, Communalism Combat, Deeksha Nath, Epic India, Gulam Sheikh, M F Husain, Peabody Essex Museum, Ram Rahman, Sahmat, Salil Tripathi, Sri Ram Sena | 6 Comments »
Journeys to democracy 