Art

Pushpa Achanta in an email interview with Pakistani dancers Huma Naz and Mohsin Ali Khan talk about their art and Tehrik-e-Niswan, an organisation that uses dance and theatre to highlight gender issues.

Whenever I meet someone from other countries in the South Asian subcontinent, I always find it hard to label them as foreigners. This is despite the man-made geopolitical boundaries that compel us to identify ourselves as Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Nepalis or citizens of any of the remaining states.

After the oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico, this 11-year-old girl decided to do her bit for the environment through her art. So far, she has helped raise funding to the tune of $175,000, with her drawings of birds. Paromita Pain speaks to the little artist.

Anuradha Thakur's paintings stand out with their sensitive depiction of the tribal way of life, a deep connect with nature and the startling impact of the colour Black. Sajana Jayaraj caught up with her during “Rhythm of the Seasons” - her recent exhibition, held in Mumbai.

Tell us about yourself

Painter, nature lover, traveler, photographer

Neha Gandhi, an artist from Mumbai, decided to follow her heart into the art world and make it a profitable venture. Matsya is a platform to create awareness about the artisans’ life, culture and age old traditions. The venture also tries to educate on how people’s purchasing choices directly impact the livelihoods of thousands artisans and the survival of generations –old traditions. Neha shares her passion with JF readers.

Aparna Vijaykumar is an architecture student in Mysore. She's interested in photography, enjoys reading and music.

This photograph was taken in Raghurajpur, Orissa, while Aparna was on a field trip to study architecture. The village Raghurajpur, is known for 'pattachitra' 

Zubaan Books' is attempting to give a voice to the rural women through their art work. Payal Dhar finds out more about the Poster Women exhibition that puts together a thread of history through traditional art forms worked on by women in rural areas

M F Hussain’s acceptance of Qatar nationality has kicked up the debate on freedom of expression and the  secular status of this country, yet again. But Smitha Rao questions if it is alright to ‘parade women’s anatomy’ in the name of art.

What is it about “legendary” painter M F Hussain vis-à-vis his work, women, life and letters? And why hasn’t he learnt to perpetrate one Truth / falsehood, like, for instance is he fundamentally secular, and he is an Indian or a Qatar national finally?