New Delhi:
Syed Haider Raza, the grand old
man of modern Indian art who celebrated his 90th birthday here yesterday. In
his 91st year, the senior artist who had set up the Raza Foundation in the year
2001 to promote young artists in the fields of fine arts, performing arts and
poetry is now set to launch fellowships on art criticism. Raza Sahib's deep
passion for art and his never say die attitude draws him towards the brush and
paints. He has always believed that whatever be the form of art it is essential
for the practioner to be disciplined and work towards it, said Ashok Vajpayee,
noted writer former Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi. Vajpayee said Raza who had
gone through a period of struggle in his initial days had established the Raza
Foundation to promote young talents in the fields of fine arts, performing arts
and poetry. The body annually awards two visual artists, a poet, a musician and
a dancer. From this year onwards, the foundation plans to add fellowships in
art criticism too, according to Vajpayee who is also a founder member of the
Raza Foundation. Memorial lectures named after V S Gaitonde, Kumar Gandharva,
Habib Tanvir, Agyeya, Kelucharan Mohapatra and Mani Kaul as well as a series of
panel discussions in a new series, called 'Art Matters' are also scheduled in
the future. There are also plans to revive the yesteryear Hindi magazine
'Samas' to give a platform for art, literature and music and initiate debates
discussions among people, says Vajpayee.
A close associate of Raza describes the artist as one who is fond of
nature and keeps up with the contemporary times. He is an artist who keeps There is rarely
ever a day when he does not visit his studio or does not touch his paint and
brushes. Perhaps this is the reason why age has not yet been able to restrict
him in any way and he continues to worship art today. Art provides him with
energy and life strength. Even in the twilight of his life he remains active in
his efforts to take Indian art to greater heights, says Sanjeev Chaubey. Born
on February 22, the artist who is now widely acknowledged as one of the masters
of modern Indian art had humble beginnings in Madhya Pradesh and received his
training in art at Nagpur
and Mumbai. After winning a French government scholarship he moved on to Paris to pursue further
studies in art in 1950. Since then he stayed on France
for sixty years where he set up his home and studios. Over a year ago he
returned to India
and said he planned to spend the rest of his life in his home country. In the
year 2010, Saurashtra a work by the artist created a record by becoming the
costliest modern Indian painting that was auctioned at USD 3.5 million dollars
in a London
auction.
