Sansar,after Husain

On his first birth anniversary —after he breathed his last on June 9,2011— the country is celebrating his art and times through a series of events,from lectures to exhibitions dedicated to the artist. Interestingly,September 17,1915,was a date chosen by Husain as his birthday. His father had apparently not registered the correct date of baby Husain’s birthday. While some friends believe he could be younger,others think he might be older. This debate goes on to add to the enigma that was Husain.

This time,Husain’s family will not be getting together to celebrate his birthday,since they are still mourning his loss. But the art fraternity is making sure the day doesn’t go unnoticed. “He liked to celebrate his birthday with friends and family,” says Ram Rahman of Delhi’s Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust that has organised a memorial for the artist at MF Husain Gallery,Jamia Millia Islamia. While students of the institute will spend the day painting in the gallery as a tribute to Husain,those who have known the artist will occupy the space in the evening. “We’ll talk about different aspects of his persona — from he being a great friend,to his art and love for cinema,” says Rahman. Art historian Geeta Kapur and artist Anjolie Ela Menon will also speak on the occasion. A documentary by filmmaker Laurent Bregeat will also be screened at the gallery and Vivan Sundaram’s video clipping titled Barefoot Husain —where artists remove their sandals and paint their feet in a tribute to the veteran who liked to be barefoot— will also be shown. A calender featuring images of Husain — shot by

Habib Rahman in 1956 and Ram Rahman in 1996 — will be unveiled at the evening’s do.

Few kilometers away,at the India International Centre annexe,Sandhya Singh is showing 17 canvases dedicated to Husain in the exhibition titled “Remembering the Master”.

“I made these works in 2006-07 and had thought of exhibiting them after Husain returned to India,but that was not to be,” says Singh,who has portrayed varied aspects of Husain’s life.

While a portrait titled Maqbool showcases a young Husain,in another work,she has Husain standing next to the Big Ben in London and a tall building in Dubai,depicting how he shuttled between the two countries. “The plane in the backdrop is representative of his desire to come back to India,” says Singh.

Husain shared a strong bond with Indore,which is playing host to a series of events to commemorate the artist’s birth anniversary. “Husain spent several years in Indore as a child and we want to celebrate those years and his contribution to art,” says Sumit Rawat,director of Reflections Art Gallery,Indore. His gallery will host an exhibition titled ‘A Tribute to Husain’ that will showcase Prabhakar Kolte’s works.

The events marking Husain’s birthday are not restricted to India. In New York,Aicon Gallery has organised a show featuring the work of the modern masters who were a part of the Progressive Artists Group. “The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of Husain,a friend and inspiration for us all,” said a representative of the gallery. Among others,on display is an acrylic on canvas from Husain’s acclaimed series on Mother Teresa. With inputs by Georgina Maddox