Right of freedom of expression and politics of Intimidation

Right of freedom of expression and politics of Intimidation
Ever since the report about MF Hussain being honoured with the citizenship of Qatar [Hindu-25-02-2010] appeared, there has been a huge debate about it – less about him accepting the citizenship and more on how India as a nation has lost out on one of its legendary artiste and citizen.
The debate has failed to underline the real issue and reduced it to a mere topic of drawing room discussion for couple of days and probably till the issues loses its importance in the high profile social circuits. No doubt that it is sad development and a huge loss for us as a nation. But do we really care? Do we even want to understand what caused it?
Why is this such a big issue? Just because it is about MF Hussain and the government failed to look after him or protect him? There are hundreds and thousands in this country who have faced similar situations and threats while carrying out their regular official duty or creative pursuit. Be it an honest government employee or theatre personalities presenting many of our social evils in a theatrical programme-all have been subjected to similar intimidation.
Remember Safdar Hashmi-brutally murdered in Delhi while performing a street play, Halla Bol? Remember Medha Patkar, Baba Amte and Anna Sahib Hazare? They have been subjected to such humiliating and “intimidating “suffering hundreds of times, while working and representing a cause of public good. Their efforts got international repute and they continued to live in India despite such threats.
What about Shahrukh Khan and Amir Khan? Were they not subject to similar intimidating attacks over MNIK and Fanaa? What about hundreds of musician, performing artiste, writers and poets who have done our country proud, also have been subjected to harassment of most difficult order for just demanding a respectful position in the society and a decent share of facilities and support from the government and people of India. Is that also not an intimidation of a kind?
More over there are thousand common people who have subjected to brutal acts of intimidation and made to rum for safety of their lives. At least in his case it probably never came to being a question of livelihood and survival as it happens to be in case of hundreds of Bhopal gas victims, hundreds of victims of rape by some rich and influential people, farmers displaced by high profile projects. They all have been facing worse threats if not similar to what Mr Hussain must have gone though.
None of these people have left their country-India. They have continued to live here and face the situation as it happens. In fact I would probably put Mr Husaain in the same group as thousand of doctors, engineers, architects and businessmen who left this country for better prospects or for not being able to work in this so called flawed “system”.
By deciding to leave this country for any reason does not make a statement on the failure of any government to provide either a conducive working or creative environment or the security or protection. If at all it should do so.. it should be for the common man first and then probably for all the important and the mighty ones.
So what is the issue? Is it government verses the celebrity artiste fighting for right of expression? I think to say yes would be a very trivial. It is us-the so called civil society. We have allowed ourselves to be intimidated. Let us face it is in us- it is in our society. We use such means to bring out the frustration of not being able to appreciate life in its entirety and enjoy it in its fullest aesthetic sense. The intimidation is in that corrupt babu who demands a bribe in carrying out what is his duty. The intimidation is in those politicians trying to divide the society for their petty political gains. The intimidation is in continuously degrading sensitivity towards art, literature, music and dance and performing arts. As a whole it is about not being able to appreciate what life is all about in a very pure and aesthetical sense.
The artiste fraternity have a huge role to play to make the society at large understand and realise how important and integral part the fine arts and performing arts can be of our collective social existence and how these can contribute in bringing about a change in the way we behave. Probably there will be less of such kind of people who would misunderstand our artistic creations and in turn not create bad blood amongst different sections of the society.
Lack of this understanding coupled with ever degrading standards [sometimes nonexistent] of public debate of such national importance has left the civil society at large fall prey to dirty games of some small highly misguided and disoriented groups who claim to me the protector or guides of cultural and ethical code of conduct for the society. Very rarely we have seen the civic society take on such groups- one such example being release of MNIK despite the all out attempts by one such political outfit to block it. But then Shahrukh Khan did not disown India and run away from it. The civic society supported him.... only because he chose to be part of it at any cost.
Gandhiji is definitely more relevant today than ever before. Be the change that you want to see.
Mr. Hussain.. come back and be part of us. Be here and be an Indian! Be here to defeat the very system which probably you blame for your exile. Our people have shown exemplary courage and togetherness to defeat the system, whenever similar situations have been thrust upon them [read Ruchika molestation case]. And I am sure the whole nation will be with you.

Why Architecture Matters-Part 2

Architecture is much more than a parade of various types of buildings to be ogled like models strutting down the runway. From highways to high rise, schools to subways, bridges to beautiful parks, architecture reflects our values and our vision and in turn it shapes just about everything we do.

You can ignore a piece of sculpture or a painting hung on the walls of an art institute or gallery, but architecture is the inescapable art. The art of architecture is based on the idea that it affects every one there fore it should be understandable by every one.
Architecture can be analyzed a fine art and a social art, placing buildings in the context of the politics, of the economics, and the cultural forces that shape them.

Architecture is set of consistent but flexible principles rather than rigid ideology and a desire to impose it on everyone else. Quality in architecture is such an issue that buildings are well crafted as well as well designed; in utility so that buildings serve their inhabitants both functionally and spiritually; in authenticity, so that buildings are rooted in reality and not fantasy; in continuity, so that buildings engage in civilised dialogue rather than ignoring one another.

The power of architecture is to create genuine places rather than generic cityscapes and that architecture should be adorn human activity rather than direct it.

In the profession of architecture, there is premium on architectural innovation- not only because it has the capacity to elevate construction to the level of art, but also because it can enrich and expand human possibilities. While it is naive to except that better buildings will make better people, it is equally foolish to ignore the subtle yet significant impact that the built environment has on our visions and thus our actions.

In architecture, the choices we make in creating that external world speak volumes about our inner values.

We look to the art of architecture to clarify the human conditions and to express the spirit of the times. Yet it is equally important that architecture engage contemporary problems and process rather that merely comment on them or on itself.
Every building is s new piece of the evolving city, a new layer of the ever changing urban collage. This collective work of art forms an unflinching record of who we are and what we do. It connects us in tie and space to those who went before us even as it represents our legacy - for better or for worse- to those who come after.
And that is why architecture matters!

Why Architecture Matters?

Why Architecture matters? by Blair Kamin

“Every building is a new piece of the evolving city, a new layer of the ever changing urban collage. This collective work of art, forms an unflinching record of who we are and what we do. It connects us in time and space to those who went before us even as it represents our legacy – for better or for worse – to those who come after. And that is why architecture matters.” Blair Kamin

This article/book specially recommended for students of CSIIT -B Arch 4th Yr Urban Design Studio