Contemporary painting and Indian politics

[dhu]

Pioneer Letter:

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->What about norms?
Sir—This is with reference to the controversy regarding MF Husain’s paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses. It must be borne in mind that the question of freedom of expression does not arise in the case of religious art. It is guided by the norms laid down in the canonical texts, which leave little or no scope for the imagination of an artist.

<b>Indian religious systems do not prohibit nudity, but they abhor vulgarity, </b>which lies in flouting the rules of the game. Gautam Buddha cannot be shown without clothes; similarly, a Digambar tirthankar cannot be depicted with clothes. Likewise, Saraswati should always wear white apparel because she is called “svatavastra”. One cannot — and should not — discount social and religious norms in the name of freedom of expression.
SN Chaturvedi
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