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Modern art doyen Saiyed Haider Raza dies at 94

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DailyBiteJul 23, 2016 | 19:36

Modern art doyen Saiyed Haider Raza dies at 94

Saiyed Haider Raza, among the doyens of modern art in independent India, died in New Delhi on Saturday. Raza was renowned for his rich use of water colours and geometrical motifs, which seemlessly wove nature and life into the abstract.

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Antar Pradesh.

Born in Babaria, Madhya Pradesh in 1922, Raza held his first solo exhibition in Bombay at the age 24. His most prolific contribution to modern art remains the "Bindu (the dot)", which he saw as "a source of energy" with "immense visual possibilities".  

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The artist's fascination with the bindu began as a boy, and dominated his oeuvre till the very end.

An alumnus of the Nagpur School of Art and JJ School of Art, Raza was one of the six founding artists of Bombay Progressives Artists Group, which opposed the imperialist worldview with its avant-garde approach.

In the years following the Partition, Raza spent 60 years in France as an artist celebrated for his unique play of iconography. He was also conferred with the highest French civilian honour, the Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur (the Legion of Honour) for his lasting works.

At home, Raza was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour.

With the peerless artist's passing, the canvas of modern art will never be the same for India.

Last updated: July 23, 2016 | 19:36
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