ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Husain apologises for Sita Rescued

Noted painter Maqbool Fida Husain has tendered a written apology for his controversial painting Sita Rescued, wherein Sita was shown nude, saying that it was not intended to ''hurt or disrespect'' Hindu feelings.

Husain, a painter of international repute, tendered the apology last night at about 8 pm to the president of the Shiv Sena's Chitrapat Shakha, G P Shirke, and president of the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association, Sultan Ahmed.

In the hand-written apology which was tendered after a brain-storming meeting, the painter said the painting ( Sita Rescued), which was displayed at New Delhi, was selected by an art critic without his knowledge.

Earlier this month, after the painting was displayed at New Delhi, over 30 Bajrang Dal workers ransacked his Cuffe Parade residence in South Bombay.

The painting was painted 20 years ago, and it was not meant to hurt or disrespect Hindu sentiments, he said, adding that he has painted more than 100 pictures on the Ramayana with ''faith, conviction and dignity''.

''Anyhow, to respect the sentiments and feelings of anybody is my prime concern and they should not be hurt. For that, from the core of my heart, I sincerely apologise,'' Husain said.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report