Friday, July 3, 2009

Farewell Tyeb...

Tyeb Mehta died as quietly and discreetly as he had lived. Husainsaab was large hearted enough to acknowledge that Tyeb was indeed the definitive figurative painter of his time. M.F. Husain was Tyeb's friend, contemporary and admirer. I'd frequently meet them together at Pundole Art Gallery or at Husain's home, over kadak chai and art world gossip. No matter what Husainsaab may say now as a tribute to his late dost, I know how surprised he was when Tyeb's painting and not one of his own ,crossed the one million dollar mark at that historic Chritie's auction in New York ( a stunning triptych called Celebration). Husain's ego was a little bruised, but the shock was somewhat tempered by the thought that it was Tyeb and not some bratty upstart who'd beaten him to it. As always, it was the TOI'S Nina Martyris ( as quiet and discreet as Tyeb himself), who wrote a lyrical tribute to Mehta, sans the annoying intellectualisation that art critics feel obliged to indulge in. Such a shame that Husain won't be here to attend his friend's funeral and console Tyeb's widow Sakina. I am almost certain that Husain will express his grief via a canvas dedicated to Tyeb. I feel fortunate to have known Tyeb and lived with his dramatic work for several years.

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I told my husband I'd rather be married to a gay guy than a straight man who 's a wife beater. He nodded in agreement as we both concluded it was time India grew up and accepted a few social realities. This was while watching the TV discussions on the issue after that historic judgement delivered by the bold and forward thinking Chief Justice A.P. Shah. While Celina Jaitley spoke sense ( she was clearly being prompted via text messages during Arnab's show, but what the hell - she played the messenger convincingly), could she not have dropped the blue contact lenses, fake lashes, crazy wig and caked make up? She wasn't shooting an item song.For someone pretty smart and articulate, Celina often gets it completely wrong when it comes to putting herself together for sober occasions . Nothing a clued -in stylist can't fix .... but fast, please!!

It was amusing to read Arjun Ramphal's carefully worded response to the judgement. We are all waiting to hear what SRK and Karan Johar have to say.... John Abraham has sweetly given his quotes. But there are countless other Bollywood guys whose reactions are going to be closely monitored, dissected and recycled. Comprenez??

22 comments:

Another Kiran In NYC said...

I havent seen much of Menta's work. I need to explore.

Celina Jaitley is going to become the desi version of Judy Garland as a gay icon... hehehehe.

Personally, I cannot wait to see the responses of oh sooooo many people in showbiz:)

I am feeling gossipy and bit catty today.

Ah... and your vacation?

Harish said...

tyeb mehta lived.. and he lives on. And it is just too wonderful that in this art eat art world, a legend is giving a legend his due respect for his art. :-) jiyooh!

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Celina Jaitely could do an image makeover with her gay cause. She should just come in a plain jane look... and that would make her more appealing and will also help the cause. She is no doubt a fashion disaster.

My respect for her gay endeavour. thats much better some bimbos who speak of world peace... and then hide in their cocoons when the right time comes. Irrespective of whether she does it for her publicity or not - she stands up for the cause... and every individual counts. She doesnt mobilize public opinion like what a John Abraham can... But still..

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Shaadi with De. Sachhhi?? can i send my kundali. Just in case.. you know!!

Btw, many of my gay dost log love you... irrespective of whether you have a Shobhaa Ka Swayamwar or not. :)

Btw, kya De... did you catch rakhi sawant ka swayamwar on TV. Its fun.. watch sometimes.

Another Kiran In NYC said...

Rakhi ka Swayamvar is my new youtube addiction. Bizarre, OTT and very endearing in some twisted way. Watch it and weep and guffaw by turns. I think I need to blog about it. And ofcourse Anita Jain's book which I finished last week. Bahut kuch likhna hai!

Harish said...

oye another kiran... mere rakhi ko kuch nahi bolne ka... samji kya???

(lol... yes i agree with you. But i love her for being herself. She is naturally OTT me thinks. )

The Panorama said...

Hmm, trust you to say it like it is...without mincing words. Wonder if more Bollywood celebrities will now come out of the closet though I seriously doubt it. I support gay people in their struggle for equal but the sex appeal of a male star does go down for his female fans if he is gay.

r said...

hi Shobhaa,

Dont go on such long trips..If you go make sure you write from your trips too..Was really missing you..

Anonymous said...

Acceptance is "The Toughest" but the moment acceptance is present, subject is gone.

Anon said...

Gays rock they can seriously be a girls best friend! Think about it. A guy who'll shop with you share gossip with you be willing to dissect outfits & hairdos in detail give you style tips & best of all he'll never hit on you try anything stupid that complicates the relationship. Girls best friend indeed!
Am thrilled that we are starting to emerge from the dark ages. What people do in the privacy of their bedrooms is their business alone!

ek-ladki-anjaani-si said...

No clue who Tyeb is....

But its agreed (aham and Kiran) I am addicted finally! Kiran, I am 1/2 done w/ the book - commie is back this weekend - so may have to finish by next week. Aham... Iss kiran ko dump karne ka ... KYA

And, Last but MOST... DE welcome back! What thoughts on Rakhi? As far as celebrity comments... WHO THE HELL CARES? My personal opinion... I think RAHUL GANDHI made that happen. Hmmmm yes you all put your thinking caps on and figure out what I am trying to say ;-)

Pilot blogger said...

My take on gayism:)
"I disagree absolutely with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"--Thoreau

ekta khetan said...

BTW, welcome back...You have very carefully chosen the celebrities name here...

Talking about Celina jaitley, it seems is on a drive to prove her dumb than she actually is...


http://ektakhetan.blogspot.com

Another Kiran In NYC said...

Haan so my take on Rakhi Ka swayamvar is up on my blog. Come one, come all and share in this fun teen paise ka tamasha. Bring your samosas and chatpata chaat and snacks and watch the show. Shobhaa you too?

Andy Sharma said...

So India has also joined bandwagon of legally accepting gays...don't you think that it just being Bizarre? Don't we already have enough social issues to be resolved that we have added yet another one? We ALL are responsible for making our country dangerous for our kids and grand kids. Why can't we simply have man/woman relationship? I'm really concerned by educated people supporting gay movement. Why? Because other western countries have made it legal? Why do we close the dance bars in Mumbai then? Why don't you make prostitution legal in India? Right now it's dangerous for our sisters to move around in cities like Delhi at night but I'm afraid, going forward, even man will also be scared to death! Long live India and our so called educated "Class"!

चंद्रमौलेश्वर प्रसाद said...

"Tyeb Mehta died as quietly and discreetly as he had lived. " SILENT WATERS RUN DEEP. May his soul rest in peace.Amen>

Unknown said...

Namaskar!

Kasha Ahaat?

Pratap said...

Its great to have you back Shobha...

I assumed that SRK and Karan Johar were out of the country hence the media hounds couldn't get any sound bytes out of them.

I am wondering about some of the comments on the last post "coming back to India now that its not criminal to be gay".
Its no different than married Indian gay men (go figur!) now saying if only this reading down had happened when...

There have been gay men living in this country since 26th Jan 1950 when 377 applied to Indian citizens!

Anonymous said...

Shobha,
Tyeb Mehta, May his soul rest in peace. Our Society's Committee was very graceful in putting up a condolence message on the Society Board. However they were very cold towards the poor guy and his Family members when he was alive.
For the past 3yrs. I have personally watched how his Family members and his driver struggled to get him from his flat to his car in his wheelchair, whenever he moved out of the house.
They did and still do not have the courtsy to have a ramp at the entrance to the the bldg. for the elders/invalids to move in comfort in their wheelchairs.
Even the rich and the Famous have their own trials...

Norman

Bertie said...

Since you are so fond of Hussainsaab, how about you letting him paint you nude?? I'm sure you appreciate the beauty of art and would be more than willing to shed your clothes.

Peace

james said...

et tu, rekha?

Gajendra said...

srk and karan johar,.....tehehehehe

Sidhusaaheb said...

I do not understand or appreciate the work of painters like Tyeb Mehta and M. F. Hussain and am unlikely to do so in this lifetime.

I'm among those who would dump a piece of 'modern art' into the waste-basket, having mistaken it for rubbish.

:D

Some food for thought on the subject is to be found at http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/artblog/2008/jun/13/modernartisrubbish .

"I told my husband I'd rather be married to a gay guy than a straight man who 's a wife beater."

Trying to choose between the devil and the deep sea, are we? Why be married at all rather than be faced with such sterling choices?

:D

BTW, if Celina Jaitley's message was the right one, then how was her appearance of any consequence at all?

Since most Bollywood stars tend to be rather vacuous, I'd care two hoots about any response from any of them.

Pranaadhika Sinha Devburman - Bat said...

Seriously, SHUT UP about Celina Jaitely. She is a bimbo, no doubt, but the consistency she has put into the gay rights movement is way more than you ever have.

Consider actively supporting a social movement which will not pay you dividends. Then talk about bimbos with hearts and souls that are better than yours.