MF’s horse rides into Abhi-Ash party

MUMBAI: MF Husain’s commemoration of the Abhishek-Aishwarya wedding is a painting that seems to show Abhishek galloping away on a horse with Aishwarya. The third figure in the painting is a shirtless man holding a round object in his hand, and apparently poised to pelt the horse.

Husain, however, dismisses the literalism. “Remember the KL Sehgal song Babul mora, nayyhar chooto jaye?” he said “It’s been ringing in my head for days. This painting is metaphor for that sense of loss.”  The artist offered more subtle readings of his work.  

“The man you think is Salman is not holding a rock. He has a ball in one hand and a stick in the other,” he said. “And why Salman? It could be Viveik. Or it could be anybody.”

Husain seemed amused by the secrecy surrounding the wedding.

“Ye bhi koi chupane ki cheez hai (Does the event warrant so much secrecy)?” he said. “Amitabh’s house has become Buckingham Palace now.”  

Husain, nevertheless, sent his blessings to the couple: “They’ve made thousands happy and now it’s their turn to be happy.”