PICTURE SPEAK

The world in my canvas: two works by M.F. Husain

Interestingly, the lavishly printed exhibition catalogue carries a full page introduction about the promoter of the project, Srivastava, rather than the painter. But then, who needs an introduction to the bare-foot bearded genius? Besides, the controversial Srivastava is keen to be known in a hundred right ways to wash away the niggling memories of the fraud charge that sent him to jail last year just when he was opening his art gallery and offering to sponsor film world awards.

Also to be found in the catalogue are partly-evocative, partly-whimsical ramblings on world events and history penned presumably by the artist himself as they are left unsigned. These cover topics like "The phenomenon of M.K. Gandhi", "The 1917 revolution in Russia: Then the break-up of USSR", "Transformation of the Arab World, Turkey and China", "The World War II" and so on. Written in a cryptic, free verse these lines, however, sorely need a sub-editor to put in punctuation and correct spellings. But then, they say a picture speaks a thousand words, and who needs spellings, syntax and grammar when Husain paints the pictures?

Some press reports have questioned whether the businessman, with an annual turnover of barely Rs 500 crore would be capable of putting up the full contracted amount for the works. But with the 25 Husains already in his possession, obviously he has crossed that bridge at least partially. On view till September 13 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Not to be missed.

-By S.Kalidas

PICTURE SPEAK

Twin pleasures: Mudgal

-By S. Sahaya Ranjit

PICTURE SPEAK

Kapoor's Pushkar picture

-By Aditi Pai

PICTURE SPEAK

Dutt, Warsi and Vidya Balan (from left)

What makes a superhero? A cape, a mask, biceps, martial arts and a whole lot of hype? Nah. It's a shy smile, woebegone eyes, a slight paunch and an ability to turn the other cheek when someone hits him. His inspiration is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. And his creator is a modest man called Rajkumar Hirani.

In Sanjay Dutt's Munnabhai, Indian cinema has found a true desi superman, who can do anything. He can teach history, change hearts, even organise weddings. He's a good-hearted goonda in a fine tradition of marginal heroes that stretches from Amar Akbar Anthony's Anthony Gonsalves to Rangeela's Munna. He bleeds for us and bats for us.

Hirani infuses the sequel with simplicity, soul and superlative writing, with some great lines reserved for the greatest love of Munnabhai's life, Circuit, played with heart by Arshad Warsi. Boman Irani as the crooked sardar transcends accent and appearance to play Lucky Singh, Munnabhai's favourite dartboard. This is the kind of movie that puts a smile on your face and a song on your lips (yes, the very same, Vande Mataram, bande mein tha dum). It's also a movie that everyone in the family can watch, dog and cat included. What's more, it makes you think. Desh apna ho gaya hai, magar log paraye ho gaye hain. Or even this, uski body nahin thi magar usne angrezon ki vat laga di, referring, of course, to Gandhibhai. Hey, Munnabhai, Circuitbhai and Rajubhai, take a bow for the year's best so far.

-By Kaveree Bamzai

Music Today
CD Rs 300

A place where the image of Krishna is worshipped by devotees of different sects is called 'Haveli'. The medieval temple music bhakti comes from poets like Surdas, Nand Das who performed the lyrical verses known as Haveli Sangeet. Here Rattan Mohan Sharma, a disciple of Pandit Jasraj, sings the verses. His command over laya, and sur is remarkable.

KAUSALYA MANJESHWAR

Underscore Records
CD Rs 200

Jaipur-Atrauli gharana vocalist Mogubai Kurdikar's disciple is among the earliest women performers seriously involved in learning music and presenting their art in public and not treating it as a matter of professional commitment. Her album contains live recordings from the early 1980s and include ragas like Marwa, Lalta Gauri, Jait Kalyan and Hoot-Nat. Available at underscorerecords.com.

THE GHAZAL GREATS

EMI
CD Rs 195

Mehndi Hasan sings Faiz Ahmed Faiz's classic Gulon mein rang bhare and Hafeez Hoshiarpuri's Mohabbat karne wale. Ghulam Ali sings Ghalib's masterpiece Aah ko chahiye and Hasrat Mohani's popular Chupke chupke. His Patiala gharana style is distinct.

-By S. Sahaya Ranjit

Index