Alochana-Nudity in religious paintings

Dear readers,

Nudity in religious paintings is a controversial topic.

This is what one of the controversial artists, MF Husain, has to say.

Please do post your views.

Thanks

Souvik

Link is from here.

Here nudity is not nakedness
M F Husain Sunday, May 07, 2006 01:50 IST

We Indians are proud to create a civilisation of art and culture, enshrined in the sanctity of the Ajanta and Ellora caves and temples for the last 5,000 years. Here the goddesses are pure and uncovered. Here the nudity is not nakedness, it’s a form of innocence and maturity. Take the monumental form of Mahaveera and the carvings of Khajuraho. They evoke spirituality.
We, the Indian painters of significance, are the direct descendants of that golden era of great vision which transcends mundane reality into eternity.

The ultimate presence of Shiva-Parvati exists in cosmic space not hedged in by boundaries of the tiny planet called Earth. Michelangelo’s Pieta, in marble, is a masterpiece in recreating reality but Shiva-Parvati in bronze go beyond reality.

For the last 50 years, an enlightened body of Indian painters has been engaged in reconnecting the reality of the ancient cultural heritage to our time. As in every human endeavour, Faith is at the core of it all. With great care and reverence for all faiths, the Indian sub-continent has evolved a unique secular culture.

I am a humble contributor towards the creation of a great Indian composite culture. I would like to pinpoint certain factors of my 70-year-long journey as a painter. A childhood fascination for the white horse of the Muharram duldul. And the Ashwamedha horse of Luv-Kush.
A panel on Indian village life titled Zameen at the Museum of Modern Art in New Delhi.
About 150 works painted on the versions of the Ramayana by Valmiki and Tulsidas, for a foundation in Hyderabad. Dr Dharamvir Bharati published this series under the title of Husain’s Ramayana.

29 works on the Mahabharat exhibited along with Picasso in Brazil in 1971. Painted Teorema, nine panels depicting various faiths including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism. These panels were exhibited at the UN in New York.