Threat Call to Gallery Owner

MF Husain is no more,but the controversies seem to live on. This time,Payal Kapoor,director of Arushi Arts,has withdrawn a canvas of Husain from her annual exhibition “Harvest”,after she allegedly received threat calls on August 6,two days before the show. “The work could not be put on display because of the threat calls. I am still receiving e-mails even after taking down the canvas. I’ve got police protection,” says Kapoor. The canvas depicts Husain’s famous horse. “There is nothing remotely controversial about the work,” she adds.

While Kapoor’s exhibition is taking place at Stainless Art Gallery,Mathura Road,in another part of the Capital,at DLF Emporio mall,Ashish Anand,director of Delhi Art Gallery,is also showcasing Husain’s artwork. “We haven’t received any call. There is no problem,and the response to the show has been fantastic,” he says. In 2008,similar threats had forced Anand to remove Husain’s work from the

India Art Summit. This year,however,he showcased several works by the artist at the India Art Summit,but under heavy police protection.