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Firoz-ud-din. A Bachelor of roughly 70, years of age. A very busy man, painting throughout the day, while there is sunlight. A celebrated painter, with 14 of his paintings up on display in the National Museum, and many of his paintings given to important dignitaries. A man with no passion but his painting, not for food, nor drink, nor women. He does have one other love however, Music. He listens to his collection of pre-40's music while he paints. Firoz Sahab, is not only all this he is also, well, there is no better way to put it but helpful. Both times that I visited him he had prepared himself fully, for my questions. He had searched and taken out material (pictorial, documentary, and textual) that he thought would prove relevant to me. He patiently answered all my questions and more. He not only gave me the approximately 5 hours that I was with him but also the time he spent preparing for my meeting. One does not even need to look at the list of awards received by him to recognise what a talented artist he is. His paintings speak of a proper understanding of his art and a personal connection with it. His paintings speak of true creativity, with experimentation and adaptation. Therefore it is not at all surprising that the rule of "No artifact less than 100 years old will be displayed in the National Museum be waved for the display of Firoz's paintings as they showcase the evolution and development of the art from the time of Mansur, 400 years ago. It is only for people like him
that this art is a vibrant, living tradition. |