1960: Art | Omair Ahmad

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1960: Art

...painting was genteel, and not meant to hurt; it was a part of being 'cultured'

Omair Ahmad Interviews Krishen Khanna

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1960: Broadcasting

Those were radio days.

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1960:Dalit Politics

... was very young, divided and orphaned

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...the time when austerity was coming to an end

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...movement to create a Marathi language state with Mumbai as its capital was at its height

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1960: Goa

India had imposed an embargo on the province, and even torn up rail tracks

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1960: Pakistan

The Indus Water Treaty was the last piece in the long divorce between India and Pakistan

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1960: Sports

In the 1960 Rome Olympics, most of the spectators had never seen a Sikh before

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1960: Economy

It was the time of big dams, new universities and colleges

Omair Ahmad

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1960: Business

...the instrument for progress was the PSU

Omair Ahmad

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Young And Restless

Was the past another country? Or were the portents of India 2008 already visible when the country turned 13, in 1960?

Omair Ahmad

Krishen Khanna, Artist
At that time, painting was genteel, and not meant to hurt; it was a part of being 'cultured'. But pioneers such as art critic Karl Khandalawala and painters like Souza, Gaitonde, Raza and M.F. Husain changed all that. We were inspired as much by the Modern Art of the West as by the rediscovery of ancient Indian art—the sculptures of Mathura and Khajuraho.

Crore contact: M.F. Husain admires a Madhuri cutout

Things have changed much since then. At the time, one of my paintings was sold for Rs 250. Another painting, which I gave to the person who used to file my tax returns, was recently auctioned at Sotheby's for Rs 1 crore! It took a lot of work for Indian art to get where it is now, and a lot of self-reflection and criticism. Now everybody just wants to talk about their souls and get certification from the big auction houses.

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Authors: Omair Ahmad
People: Krishen Khanna
Section: Arts & Entertainment
Subsection: Interviews

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Also In This Story

past continuous

1960: China

...issue slowly overwhelmed everything else

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

1960: Cinema

These were happy times for Indian cinema

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

1960: Politics

The big question at that time was, "After Nehru, who?"

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

1960: Broadcasting

Those were radio days.

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

1960:Dalit Politics

... was very young, divided and orphaned

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

1960: Trends

...the time when austerity was coming to an end

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

1960: Samyukta Maharashtra

...movement to create a Marathi language state with Mumbai as its capital was at its height

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

1960: Goa

India had imposed an embargo on the province, and even torn up rail tracks

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

1960: Pakistan

The Indus Water Treaty was the last piece in the long divorce between India and Pakistan

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

1960: Sports

In the 1960 Rome Olympics, most of the spectators had never seen a Sikh before

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

1960: Economy

It was the time of big dams, new universities and colleges

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

1960: Business

...the instrument for progress was the PSU

Omair Ahmad

past continuous

Young And Restless

Was the past another country? Or were the portents of India 2008 already visible when the country turned 13, in 1960?

Omair Ahmad

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