New York:
On his 94th birthday, artist MF Husain speaks to NDTV's Sarah Jacob in New York about his life, his art, and his exile from India.
NDTV: He is hailed as India's Picasso and now joins us. Mr. Husain, you look great, but how do you feel, or should I ask how old do you feel?
Husain (laughs): It is a state of mind. Somehow, the greatest gift God has given me is health. I don't work out or do anything out of the ordinary. All the time, when I am painting, it is like yoga. Even today, I sit 4-5 hours to paint but nothing happens. I walk barefeet and of all the acupressure that has kept me taut, that's my secret.
NDTV: You are India's most famous artist, but for the second year in a row, your work was not allowed to be screened at India's biggest art event. What does this say about the state of creative freedom in India?
Husain: I praise the art summit. This is a much-needed platform for Indian and international contemporary art. Because what the government has created - the Lalit Kala Academy and all that - is just rotting. Art cannot be conducted by politicians. Even in countries like the US and UK, whether it's the MOMA or the Tate, they have nothing to do with the state. I do not know which crazy fellow after Independence decided that we should control what art should be. This is nonsense and this is the result we have. They have created three academies -for visual arts and dance and music and literature. All three are rotting.
The art summit is very good, I think. It's up to them- who they take and don't take. It is up to them .I am not the only artist in India. For the last century, the two great masters from India is Gaitonde - who compared to anywhere in the world is one of the greatest masters, and in the figurative, it's Tyeb Mehta. They are the great masters.
NDTV: You have been away from home for over a decade now. What do you miss most about India?
Husain: I do not miss anything because I lived in India for 70 years. It is in my blood. I may live anywhere. But even then I can create the same thing.
NDTV: Do you wish that maybe the government would do more to allow your work to be screened at galleries without fear of being vandalized?
Husain: It is not my concern. My concern is to create. Wherever I get appreciation, I am there.
NDTV: MF Hussein at 94 clearly shows no signs of slowing down. Thank you so much for speaking to us.
NDTV: He is hailed as India's Picasso and now joins us. Mr. Husain, you look great, but how do you feel, or should I ask how old do you feel?
Husain (laughs): It is a state of mind. Somehow, the greatest gift God has given me is health. I don't work out or do anything out of the ordinary. All the time, when I am painting, it is like yoga. Even today, I sit 4-5 hours to paint but nothing happens. I walk barefeet and of all the acupressure that has kept me taut, that's my secret.
NDTV: You are India's most famous artist, but for the second year in a row, your work was not allowed to be screened at India's biggest art event. What does this say about the state of creative freedom in India?
Husain: I praise the art summit. This is a much-needed platform for Indian and international contemporary art. Because what the government has created - the Lalit Kala Academy and all that - is just rotting. Art cannot be conducted by politicians. Even in countries like the US and UK, whether it's the MOMA or the Tate, they have nothing to do with the state. I do not know which crazy fellow after Independence decided that we should control what art should be. This is nonsense and this is the result we have. They have created three academies -for visual arts and dance and music and literature. All three are rotting.
The art summit is very good, I think. It's up to them- who they take and don't take. It is up to them .I am not the only artist in India. For the last century, the two great masters from India is Gaitonde - who compared to anywhere in the world is one of the greatest masters, and in the figurative, it's Tyeb Mehta. They are the great masters.
NDTV: You have been away from home for over a decade now. What do you miss most about India?
Husain: I do not miss anything because I lived in India for 70 years. It is in my blood. I may live anywhere. But even then I can create the same thing.
NDTV: Do you wish that maybe the government would do more to allow your work to be screened at galleries without fear of being vandalized?
Husain: It is not my concern. My concern is to create. Wherever I get appreciation, I am there.
NDTV: MF Hussein at 94 clearly shows no signs of slowing down. Thank you so much for speaking to us.
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