Nude Paintings of Hindu Deities Removed from Art Exhibition in Bangalore

THE HINDU

A voluptuous Mohini as painted by artist Anirudh Sainath

INDIA---Anirudh Sainath, an upcoming artist was compelled to remove three nude paintings of Hindu deities from an exhibition of his works at Bangalore. The pictures were removed following police direction in wake of threat of protests by activists of the BJP as well as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Sri Ram Sena and Bajrang Dal. The budding artist alleged that a member of the BJP complained to the police after objecting to the artworks on show at the exhibition. Defending his work, the artist said that Sanskrit scholar Kalidasa of sixth century had written a book about the physical indulgence of these divine entities. Sainath depicted Hindu God Shiva and his consort Savitri in intimate position, Goddess Savitri lying on a bed in a semi-nude position and Goddess Kali sucking blood from a severed head. [link]