Portrait of an artist

The lesser-known years of MF Husain is what the play Pencil Sey Brush Tak brings on stage

Ninety-three years of sheer genius and creativity is tough to envelop in a three-hour play, agrees Nadira Babbar here with Pencil Sey Brush Tak, a play based on MF Husain’s memoir. The many unknown facets of the painter is what the director has strived to stage in the play, which is being organized by STEPS. “His struggles, growing up years, his Maharashtrian upbringing, relationships, especially the influence of his grandfather, there was so much to be explored,’’ Nadira has known the painter since she was a child, as he would visit her parents’ home often and was almost a family member. With a deep-rooted philosophy, the play charts how he was brought up in a home where all cultures and religions were respected and followed and how a painter from a small village rises above prejudices and with his art strives to bring harmony in diversity. “His series of paintings on Ramayana, Ganesha, history of Gulf countries are all brilliant pieces of art,’’ Nadira has focused totally on the person, with Anup Soni playing Husain in his early 20s and Tom Alter in the role of senior Maqbool. “I completely depended on the text to shape my performance and the script conveys a lot, for not many know him how he was in that age,’’ smiles Soni.

Juhi Babbar is in the role of Husain’s wife and is thoroughly enjoying the experience, “I blindly trust my director with the roles she chooses with me and am happy doing theatre, as I’m not willing to struggle for Hindi film roles,’’ Juhi is candid and says after her huge and successful Punjabi film, no other offer has come close to it.

“His grace, secular approach, art, and contribution to this country is what I have emphasised on and it’s been a fulfilling experience,’’ Nadira invites to see the life, time and work of MF Husain at Tagore Theatre on November 5 at 7 pm.