Will the legend return to India ever? MF Hussain exclusively on NewsX

MUMBAI: The man that Forbes magazine called the "Picasso of India" suddenly became controversial in 1996, following a controversy about nude images of Hindu deities painted ages ago. A series of cases were brought against him resulting in issuing of a non-bailable warrant against him.

The artist left the country in the wake of the court cases and death threats and is now living between Dubai and London. In a special interaction with NewsX in London, the legendary painter, MF Hussain, talks about his self imposed exile and the claustrophobic cultural environment in India.

Reacting to the weakening policies of the government on cultural issues, Hussain said, ??it‘s very strange that in a country with 5000 cultures there is no policy on culture and art ? this way all the creative people suffer.?
Speaking about the lack of freedom of expression, the artist said that in the Art Summit in India the organizers were warned against aligning with him or ?they will face the consequences?.
On the unsympathetic attitude of the government, he says that the artists went to the government, to the Home Minster and even to the galleries, but no one was willing to risk showcasing his paintings.
A great admirer of Mother Teresa, Hussain fondly recalls, ?I made hundred of them (Mother Teresa?s Paintings) because I remember in 1983 there was a big exhibition in New York and there were three rooms, all with her paintings ??

Programme Name : HUSSAIN: LEGEND IN EXILE

Repeat : Sunday 11:30 PM