<b>A splash at 86</b>

From your native village of Barbaria in Madhya Pradesh, you moved to Nagpur in the pursuit of art and then to the JJ school of art in Mumbai. How was it to be a student at JJ School in the 1940s?
My experience at JJ School was disastrous. The course at that time was essentially western and principles of realism dominated the academic curriculum. We could hardly relate with it and the Progressive Artists Group was precisely a reaction to that. We wanted to find our own calling, create a path for ourselves. Fortunately, most of the artists from the group, from F.N. Souza to M.F. Husain, did well for themselves.

You went on a scholarship to study at the Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1950 to 1953. In what ways did France influence your art?
I wanted to be a part of the vibrant art movement in France and worked towards getting the scholarship. I even studied French. Going to Paris actually worked well for me. I travelled a lot and captured the landscapes on my canvases. The decision to stay there was both professional and personal, as my wife Janine was a French artist.

But you continued to visit India.
I’m still close to India and have a deep relationship with the country. Indian philosophy has given some of the most important lessons, including shanti (peace), satya (truth) and ishwar (god).

What was the idea behind the SH Raza Foundation that you instituted in 2000?
The aim of the foundation was to recognise young talent through an award, which includes a cash prize. People are always in search of young artists with potential and I hope to help them through the foundation. It’s also good if the artists are recognised at a relatively early stage of their career. Most of the recipients, like Sujata (Bajaj), Manish (Pushkale) and Yusuf have proved their mettle.

When is the Kala Kendra near Delhi coming up?
The project is already underway and we have almost decided on a location on the outskirts of Delhi. Manish and Akhilesh will also be involved in it. The museum will have my collection of miniatures apart from contemporary and modern art. Art workshops and seminars will also be held at the venue. I’m also getting my primary school in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, repaired. The last time I visited the school, it was in a dilapidated condition. This structure was very close to me and I hope to have a room to display art works there.

... contd.

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