रज़ा का फ्राँस में रहना भी हिंदुस्तान में रहना ही था। वे जिद्दी थे तो वहाँ रहते हुए कभी फ्रांसीसी नागरिकता नहीं स्वीकार की ..

रज़ा आखिरी सदस्य थे प्रोग्रेसिव आर्टिस्ट ग्रुप के। उनके जाने के साथ एक जिद की उपस्तिथि ख़त्म हुई भले ही अब वो किसी दूसरे रूप में दिखे किन्तु उस शान्त, चमकती रंग उपस्तिथि का सिर्फ अहसास बचा है। रज़ा लम्बे समय तक अस्पताल में अपने होने को शायद कभी नहीं पसंद करते उन्हें पसन्द था स्टूडियो में होना, अपने रंगों के साथ होना और खुद को उस रंग में डुबाते रहना। रज़ा का फ्राँस में रहना भी हिंदुस्तान में रहना ही था। वे जिद्दी थे तो वहाँ रहते हुए कभी फ्रांसीसी नागरिकता नहीं स्वीकार की और जब पूरा परिवार पकिस्तान जा रहा था तब भी उन्होंने हिंदुस्तान में रहना ही चुना। 

SH Raza

उनके चारो भाई, दोनों बहने और पहली पत्नी पकिस्तान चले गए किन्तु वे यहीं रहे। गाँधी के प्रभाव में, गाँधी के सपनो को जानते, समझते और अपनी तरह से उनमें रंग भरते। रज़ा सिर्फ रज़ा ही हो सकते हैं अकेले रज़ा जो अपनी रज़ा से जीवन भर चित्र बनाते रहे और नियमित रोज सुबह अपने स्टूडियो में जाना सिर्फ काम करना। मुझे नहीं लगता फ्रांस में रज़ा को पता था कि अण्डे कहाँ मिलते हैं ? वे स्टूडियो के बाहर की दुनिया से लगभग अपरिचित ही रहे। अपने काम में डूबे रज़ा को पसंद था कविता साथ, अच्छी पुस्तकों और चित्र कला की दुनिया के अलावा वे अपनी पसन्द की रेस्तरॉं इन्द्र में अपने दोस्तों को ले जाना नहीं भूलते थे जहाँ उनकी पसन्द का हिंदुस्तानी खाना मिलता था। उस समय के चित्रकारों का कविता, शायरी से सम्बन्ध चित्रकला के एक अंग की तरह ही रहा। रज़ा को याद थे कई शेर जिन्हें वो वक़्त की नज़ाकत को और गहराई से बयां करने के लिए सुनाया करते थे। रज़ा का न होना सालता रहेगा हम सभी को और उनका जाना ख़ाली कर गया एक विलक्षण, विनम्र, विवेचना कर सकने वाले चित्रकार की जगह जो कभी नहीं भरी जा सकेगी।

 - अखिलेश -2016

(Text and image source from Akhil Esh)

HELP : The memorial plaque narrating the story of Hedma Ram, killed in an alleged fake encounter.

About the Plaque

This plaque in Sulenga village in Bijapur district, Bastar is named after villager Hedma Ram, who was killed on February 4, 2016.

His name is painted at the top of the plaque, divided into three panels. The upper panel shows man, presumably Ram, resting while cattle grazes. He is then surrounded by armed men in the second panel. They are policemen with guns in the plaque.

In the third panel, at the bottom of the plaque, Ram is again lying on ground. Hedma Ram, following his death was “dragged by police.” Other animals, including a crocodile, are witnessing the encounter in the plaque.

Photographed by Kamal Shukla

The villagers of heavily militarised areas of south Chattisgarh have embraced traditional Gond art to narrate their tragedies. The last moments of Gond tribals before they are killed by the security forces, are narrated on Mritak Sthamv [memorial plaque] made of stone. The villagers have captured those moments when security forces have allegedly killed the tribals.

Gond tribals often put up a stone or two to mark the passing away of a member in the village. The plaques, not headstones, are not placed in the burial grounds like in organised religion but mostly in an open space near the village and coloured with pigments extracted from trees. And it’s on these that encounter killings are being documented.

Kamal Shukla is a veteran writer-journalist and activist of south Chattisgarh, who has been documenting such plaques.

An Appeal

Kamal is suffering from cancer and the adivasis of Bastar have joined in an effort to raise funds for him for his treatment for which he has to come to Mumbai regularly. The adivasis  are collecting whatever they can individually in their areas. This is an appeal to all artists, photographers, painters and the readers of this site to help contribute towards his medical expenses. Thank you.

His contact no: 9981635944

From the Director of MOG- Dr. Subodh Kerkar

I had the good fortune of meeting Syed Haider Raza a number of times.In his death India has lost an iconic person.

S  H  RAZA

Apart from being a great artist Raza in my opinion was the symbol of India's pluralism. His works and his being,positioned him beyond fences of religion, cast and creed.He visited all places of religious worship to find the connectivity with the cosmic and the unknown. And spoke passionately about universalism.

In his company I felt an energy of a saint.His bindu painting exudes the feeling of Shunyata.

In 1947 when India became independent Raza Shaib was not only concerned with his personal development as an artist but also worried about what direction ART in India should take.He along with the other members of the progressive group were the torch bearers of the journey of Indian Art.

I will use Nehru's lines after Gandhi's assassination to express my feelings about Raza."The light has gone out of he Indian Art scene.However that light was no ordinary light and will continue to inspire generations of artist to come.RIP I shall not say because Syed Raza was the epitome of peace all his life and in peace he will always rest."

We at MOG join the nation to mourn Raza's death and we are grateful to God that such a one lived amongst us.

-  Dr. Subodh Kerkar

Usha Khanna- Tremendous talent rests in peace forever!

Art and film world and was shaken at the news of demise of Usha Khanna on Saturday, 16, 2016. She was 74 years old. 

(Image copyright : Sudharak Olwe/ source fb)

Remembered as the owner of Café Samovar, at Jehangir Art Gallery at the time it was closed last year, art patrons miss her more for the strong, cheerful personality she had and that vibrated in the Samovar Café and her music. Almost every day when she would be there for hours curiously taking interest in visitors and conversing with them on vivid topics. Never airing her ownership she had mush faith in her staff and the head who looked after the delicacies and cuisines severed there. Satisfaction, be it at her Café or by listening to her music was important. Art was her life and music her soul. India prides in her talent as a third Indian woman music director and intelligent business woman. She died a natural death on her way to hospital. She is survived by two daughter and a son, who made names for themselves in their respective fields like their mother. Her children did the last rites and cremated her in presence of art patrons and film personalities. 

(Memorable Image from Café Samovar )

Text By Pankaja JK 

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