Protest to the Asia House Gallery’s exhibition of MF Husain’s offensive paintings
The following is a press release from Hindu Human Rights, dated 15/05/06:Â
It has come to our attention that the Asia House Gallery in London is currently hosting an exhibition by the controversial Indian artist Maqbool Fida Husain. Husain has become infamous over the years for his offensive erotic paintings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses in sexual poses which have caused outrage to Hindus around the world. We also find it extremely distasteful that Asia House Gallery have used Husain’s explicit images of Goddess Durga (who many Hindus regard as their Mother) in their flyer to advertise the exhibition which includes this and other offensive images…
At this point we wish to reiterate that as Hindus we are certainly not anti-Art and do not believe in blanket censorship of all Hindu imagery. Indeed, as we have said time and again, we are against the abuse of Hindu images especially when done in an offensive way and for commercial gain and sensationalism with complete disregard for the feelings of Hindu Society. While Asia House’s advertising pamphlet claims that Husain draws “upon traditional and western artistic conventions, myths and history”, we should note that he only sees fit to use Hindu sacred images for sexual poses but his artist licence conveniently expires when it comes to other religions. To us, this seems blatant double-standards with Hindus once again as the victims.
Despite the fact that Hindu Human Rights have organised many successful awareness campaigns and protests against the inappropriate use (or misuse) of sacred Hindu imagery, it is a great shame that Asia House Gallery and companies such as Hitachi (their sponsors) continue to abuse Hindus and Hinduism in a such a manner. The lack of consultation with the very large Hindu community here in the UK shows at best a blissful ignorance at the feelings and sentiments of Hindus or worse a wilful disregard. As we have said time and again, it is this degrading and defamation of Hindu culture which provides the atmosphere for the ongoing abuses and persecution of Hindus across the world and particularly in Husain’s homeland of India and neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.
It is for these reasons that we invite all Hindus and non-Hindus concerned about the growing culture of Hindu-bashing in the corporate and commercial world to join us outside the Asia House Gallery, 63 New Cavendish Street, London W1 to voice our protest at 3pm on Saturday 27 May 2006 (nearest tube: Oxford Circus or Bond Street, Central Line). We thank you for your support.
Hindu Human Rights,
Serving Hindus Worldwide
May 18th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
In the US, we see similar instances where Hindu Gods and Goddesses are misrepresented in the textboks in the name of acdemic freedom and portrayed negatively for sensationalism in the commercial world. We Hindus across the world should come together and fight against such blatant disrespect for the most ancient and tolerant religion in the world.
May 19th, 2006 at 9:57 pm
yes that is true - action needs to be taken..an example being textbooks in the U.S. being edited and published again as a result of protest and outrage at the misrepresentation of hinduism..
May 22nd, 2006 at 11:32 am
I strongly agree that we need to let the Western world know when they take it too far. Everyone knows that Hinduism is not Anti-art, just take a look at our temples which are full of many murtis. And even through dance we are able to express the teachings of Hinduism. Not many religions can say this. And it is something that I take great pride in.
Those who take it too far and begin to disrespect our images need to be made aware of what they are doing. Because you can’t blame them for not knowing…how are they meant to know if Hindus dont tell them??
May 22nd, 2006 at 12:36 pm
To enable those not able / inactive people who cannot/will not be attending on site this weekend to protest on this issue can you please provide email address to whom protests can be addressed.
For this and future issues of concern. It would mean we have a greater voice in addition to the personal protest.
regards
May 27th, 2006 at 8:18 am
Yo check this out people - it seems that the exhibition has been cancelled:
Husain’s London exhibition closed after vandal attack
LONDON: Organisers have wound up MF Husain’s exhibition in London after saffron vandals destroyed two of his paintings on show.
Last Saturday, the vandals threw paint on two paintings, Durga and Draupadi, at the Asia House art gallery in central London. The gallery soon closed its doors….
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1031386&CatID=9
May 31st, 2006 at 2:29 pm
YES! We have prevailed by the looks of things, hooray for “the saffron vandals.”
In a perfect world, all Husain’s peices of work would be burnt. But for now, I’m pleased with this outcome.
June 1st, 2006 at 8:17 am
Well i’m glad that the exhibition has been cancelled…by any chance did MF Hussain ever try to justify his paintings?
June 2nd, 2006 at 6:57 am
Personally, I’m disturbed that any Hindu could use graffiti to make their point. Its a flippin democratic society. These pictures weren’t exactly hurting anyone.
June 3rd, 2006 at 11:12 am
Tina, one question for you. How would you like your mother stripped naked and photographed. And then displayed in a gallery for all to see??
As you say the “pictures won’t be hurting anyone”.
Mother Durga and Draupadi was disrobed and dishonoured, and portrayed as taking part in bestiality and other sexual acts. In the Mahabharat even Dushasan failed to disrobe Draupadi as she was protected by Lord Krishna. So what gives M F Husain a special right to do so and then display the evidence?
June 4th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
So Sakshi, are you also going to rip down various ancient monuments in India that have erotic sculpture?
June 4th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
“So Sakshi, are you also going to rip down various ancient monuments in India that have erotic sculpture?”
No I don’t think we would do that Tina because they stay true to the tradition and don’t show Durga Ma having sex with a tiger and Sita Ma masturbating on Hanumanji’s tail, if you want though, next time you go to an Indian village, try exhibiting these pictures for the villagers and see what happens or maybe you can try it yourself with a donkey and give them a live show.
Anyway the attack should be condemned but more than the attackers, the more shameful people are the coconuts who act like showing Goddesses engaging in bestiality is some kind of great artistic skill and berate other Hindus for being offended.
June 4th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
I get your point, Harish. But at the end of the day these paintings, didn’t actually HURT anybody. After all, who is going to see these pictures except for a few? I believe there are more important things to put energy into in this world.
June 5th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
“I get your point, Harish. But at the end of the day these paintings, didn’t actually HURT anybody. After all, who is going to see these pictures except for a few? I believe there are more important things to put energy into in this world.”
Well evidently they hurt plenty of Hindus to prompt them to write emails to HHR about a campaign against them and as for having more important things, well maybe you do but us mere mortals don’t, so we are protesting what is offensive to a lot of Hindus.
June 6th, 2006 at 10:30 am
Tina this is how pathetic your argument is:
“So Sakshi, are you also going to rip down various ancient monuments in India that have erotic sculpture? ”
As Harish has pointed out to you that they do not depict our Goddesses conducting bestial acts. So no, I will not rip down monuments.
“But at the end of the day these paintings, didn’t actually HURT anybody.”
No your right. They don’t jump up from the wall and start punching and kicking their viewers. They do not perform physical harm, no. I have as yet not been beaten up by a painting. These paintings are intended to hurt the sentiments of all Hindus all around the world. It is a blatent attack on Hinduism. Why hasn’t he used other figures from other religions?? Can’t you see that he has got some obsession with degrading our revered and most respected female dieties.
“After all, who is going to see these pictures except for a few? I believe there are more important things to put energy into in this world. ”
These paintings have been exhibited all over the world. If that is your opinion your entitled to it by all means, but just don’t disregard those who are trying to stop this defamation of Hinduism.
But think about this.
If we allow the degradation of Hinduism before our own eyes today, imagine what else they could get away with?? Freely allowed to slaughter Hindu families, and destroy their homes and buisnesses, without no one objecting to it. This is exactly what is happening in countries such as Kashmir, Bangladesh and even in India itself. So where exactly do we draw the line?? Defamation of Hinduism will lead to persecution of the Hindu people.
June 8th, 2006 at 9:50 am
Tina, you are entitled to your view but respect the fact that Hindus are also entitled to show concern when people like MF Hussain consistently tries to stir up controversy to promote his “art”. Also note the fact he doesn’t apply the same standard to his own community. One needs not to be a brain surgeon to understand his motives.
By the way, did he not make a statement he was offended by the Danish Mohammed pictures?
This guy lives in India, takes advantage of Hindu hospitality and freedoms in a largely Hindu country. Defiles Hindu imagery and promotes his “freedom of expression” around the world. In any muslim country a hindu has to live in fear of just being a Hindu. But this guy just takes the piss in a Hindu majority India!
Asia House is also no stranger to controversy and trying to insult Hinduism, I suspect quietly they are probably basking in their new found fame and glory.
June 19th, 2006 at 8:08 am
He does it, and others of his like too have made it their sport, because Kshatriyahood in our Ksatriyas, Brahmanatva (Brahmanhood) in our teachers and guides, the Brahmans, and sense of honour and self-respect of the common Hindu has become quiescent and near extinct save a few.
Had we been with the dare of our ancestors who did not consider anything more worthy and precious than national honour and self-respect, they would never have even thought of dishonouring our Motherland and other deities even in their dreams.
But we have become a race of so called ‘International Minded’ and conscious of keeping, projecting and maintaining a conferred unfounded image of a meek, peaceful, submissive people who has the ability to overlook, withstand any such ‘minor’ provocations and resist temptations to ’stoop’ (!) to their level and show any meaningful resistance.
June 22nd, 2006 at 5:43 pm
In the temple complex of Khajuraho are numerous sculptures depicting bestiality and other erotica. Indeed, erotic sculptures are to be found on numerous ancient mandirs around the country - the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebidu, the Meenakshi temple in Madurai, and countless others.
Hindu society through the ages has triumphed by its encouragement of freedom of thought and expression; it is only modern-day self-styled moral crusaders who bring down the curtain of censorship on anything that does not conform to their own individual morality. Ancient values of inquiry, experimentation and rationalisation have given way to the modern-day master of them all - taboo.
Having said that, yes I object to MF Hussain’s work, but not because of the pieces themselves but because of the evident hypocrisy in his portrayal of Hindu figures in this way in contrast to his condemnation of any such exploration of Islamic topics. This hypocrisy strongly suggests that his purpose is not artistic exploration but communal denigration.
And so, having lambasted phoney morality, it is actually not Hussain’s art but his morality that I object to. Either way, I guess ultimately what it comes down to is, to paraphrase Voltaire, I disapprove of what Hussain says, but I’ll defend to the death his right to say it.
June 22nd, 2006 at 7:19 pm
“In the temple complex of Khajuraho are numerous sculptures depicting bestiality and other erotica.”
Maybe so but they don’t involve Ma Durga copulating with a lion or Parvati copulating with a bull, if you bring in Hindu tradition as a way to justify this then you have no leg to stand on. If Hussain wants to paint, he can do whatever he wants and satisfy his perversions and his fans can do the same and enjoy his so called art but they should keep their mouth shut when they try to justify it based on traditions.
Also Hinduism is not some static religion, it evolves everyday, what may have been acceptable back in the day may not be acceptable to many Hindus today, this justification of everything by bringing in tradition is ridiculous, next thing you know some cannibal killer will justify his actions saying that since human’s longtime back may have practiced cannibalism it’s ok for him to do so right now. The world is constantly changing around us, it is not static.
June 22nd, 2006 at 9:49 pm
Given that in the Hindu view, every female is the personification of Shakti, be that Durga, Parvati or any other form you choose, surely portraying the act is the same regardless of who is being represented there - just a thought. Anyway, this is a moot point; the point being made was that eroticism has been an integral part of Hindu religiosity for many centuries and so cannot be considered a slur on the religion.
In terms of values changing, I agree entirely; they do, and should, change with the passing of time. However, the role of eroticism in religion is not a long-abandoned or defunct theme in Hinduism - the Meenakshi temple in Madurai, for example, is very much a living, active mandir, as are numerous others which too boast such work.
Cannibalism is a non-argument as it is not and never has been integral in this way to the major cultures that are of relevance to us here.
All of this, however, is a subsidiary issue. The main argument I made, and still make, is that cliche as it may be, freedom of thought and expression is essential if society is to progress. It is noteworthy that the great advances of Hindu civilisation in both arts/humanities and sciences/technology were made against a background of just this kind of freedom; likewise, it was when it cast off the shackles of religious persecution and intolerance that the Christian world entered an era of massive advancement and progress. We see similar trends elsewhere too - the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, for example, were hugely developed, and equally are noteable for their liberalism (for want of a better word); before the advent of Islam with its strict curtailment of liberties, Arabia and Persia made great advances; and many more examples can be described.
June 22nd, 2006 at 11:12 pm
“In terms of values changing, I agree entirely; they do, and should, change with the passing of time. However, the role of eroticism in religion is not a long-abandoned or defunct theme in Hinduism - the Meenakshi temple in Madurai, for example, is very much a living, active mandir, as are numerous others which too boast such work.”
But the Madurai Meenakshi mandir is a centuries old temple, to see what contemporary Hindus think we need to look at recent Hindu mandirs.
“Cannibalism is a non-argument as it is not and never has been integral in this way to the major cultures that are of relevance to us here.”
But it makes the point of what I am saying, ok put that aside, a century or so back we had a cultural pratice of child marriage, now if someone performs child marriages and brings in a long defunct tradition as justification then would that make it ok?, I don’t think so.
“The main argument I made, and still make, is that cliche as it may be, freedom of thought and expression is essential if society is to progress.”
Agreed, so Hindus have every right to express their protests in a lawful manner and Hussain can do what he wants. The problem comes in when self proclaimed Hindus (when convenient i.e) bring in Hindu traditions or some other rubbish to justify Hussain’s so called art, many of them are not practicing Hindus and are often found to be closet Communists with Hindu names and that is exactly what these Desai types are. If they would just say that they condemn the attack because it is against freedom of expression then that’s ok but then they go on and on about traditions and stuff as if they are some kind of experts.