Photo by artstander, courtesy flickr

Maqbool Fida Husain

Maqbool Fida Husain Tyeb Mehta Subodh Gupta Hindu Groups Threaten Indian Artist Asia Week As Western Economy Heads South, South Asian Art Market Looks East Controversial Paintings of Deities Censored in Mumbai Husain Film Pulled From Indian Festival

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At the event’s inaugural edition last year, controversy surrounded the prohibition decision, which followed threats from right-wing Hindu groups. This year’s repeat ban is no less upsetting to Husain’s dealers, members of the Indian art community, and relatives of the 93-year-old artist, often referred to as a "legend" of the Indian art world. But his controversial works depicting two Hindu goddesses without clothing have inflamed religious sentiments and brought threats against him; a Muslim, Husain went into self-imposed exile in 2006. Summit organizers say they can’t risk showing his works this year without “protection from the government and the Delhi police." The summit, one of the Indian art world’s premier events, is set for Aug. 19-22 in New Delhi.

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