M.F. Hussain's painting for Musharraf

MUMBAI, JULY 10. An exclusive painting highlighting the message of peace to be presented by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, to the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has been done by painter, Mr. M.F. Hussain.

``The Prime Minister asked me to do a painting for the Pakistani President and so I did it,'' Mr. Hussain said adding that it conveyed a message of peace.

The painting depicts Mr. Hussain's pet theme of horses. It shows two horses - one in saffron reins and the other in green - and they denote India and Pakistan respectively. Mr. Hussain said the reins of the two horses are held by a bird with an olive branch in its beak pointing towards the sky.

``Usually the image of a bird or a lotus is used to signify peace,'' he said, noting that ``the horses' white colour signifies purity and the fact that they (the two leaders) are meeting for peace.'' An Arabic quote, conveying the meaning of peace, knowledge and friendship, is also written in the canvas.

Asked for his comments on the Agra summit, Mr. Hussain said, ``I have already expressed my feelings in the painting. Apart from that, we should always hope as without hope, the world cannot go on.''

It is not the first time Mr. Hussain's painting is being gifted to a foreign leader. The former U.S. Presidents, Mr. Bill Clinton and Mr. Ronald Reagan, had also been presented with Mr. Hussain's paintings.

- PTI

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