[Marxistindia] PB condoles demise of MF Hussain

[news from the cpi(m)]

June 10, 2011
Camp: Hyderabad

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), now in  
session at Hyderabad, has issued the following statement:

PB Condoles Demise of M F Hussain

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) deeply  
mourns the demise of one of modern India's most iconic artists Maqbool  
Fida Hussain. Born in Maharashtra's temple town, Pandharpur, Hussain  
grew up in Indore with his father, having lost his mother in childhood.

Apart from his signal contributions, through his paintings and other  
creative activity, in strengthening the aesthetic traditions of India,  
Hussain richly contributed in advancing India's syncretic  
civilizational ethos. Though he passed away at this ripe old age of  
95, his absence would be dearly felt in this respect.

It is most unfortunate that Hussain had to stay away from India in a  
self-imposed exile since 2006. The CPI(M) had steadfastly protested  
against the harrasment of Hussain by the Hindutva communal forces. It  
is a pity that the government of the day did not heed the voice of  
powerful solidarity in the country to facilitate the return of Hussain  
to India. Hussain's death must galvanise the movement to safeguard and  
strengthen the syncretic civilizational ethos of India, firmly  
adhering to secular democratic traditions.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) conveys its deep felt condolences to  
Hussain's family members, activist-painter son Shamshad and other  
members of the artist fraternity.

eom