Dubai: A function to felicitate noted Indian painter M F Husain was cancelled here today after organisers reportedly received threats from a right-wing Hindu group. The Bhoruka Charitable Trust of Rajasthan had planned to bestow the controversial artist with a lifetime achievement award as the finale of a three-day art symposium.

But when guests reached the venue today, they found that the function had been cancelled without any reason being given, a journalist working for a local daily said. Meanwhile, the Hindu Jagaruti Samiti in its website said the Trust cancelled the felicitation ceremony because of a protest launched by the group against the award.

Amitava Banerjee, Executive Director of Bhoruka Charitable Trust, informed the right-wing group about the decision to cancel the event through fax, it said. "The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti had launched an intensive campaign against the awarding of award to Husain," a comment on the group's website said. The organisers were unavailable for comment.

Earlier, Surendra Pal Joshi, director of the three-day programme, told The Khaleej Times that the Trust decided to give "a life-time achievement award to our most senior living artist, Husain". Many eminent artists from India were to be flown in for the event.

Asked whether honouring Husain, who has cases pending against him for allegedly hurting the sentiments of people for depicting Hindu goddesses in the nude, would fuel further controversies, Joshi had said, "Our intention is honourable. We hope everyone will understand the true spirit behind it."

Source : PTI