Supreme Court Practices ‘Art for Art’s Sake’

This is with reference to the news "SC: Hussain’s ‘Bharat Mata’ is a work of art" (Sept.09). This elaborate verdict of the Supreme Court is a rude awakening to the opponents of genuine art. I see eye to eye with the court’s logic that the erotic sculptures – indispensable aspects of Indian culture - don’t scandalize people. How can those self-appointed guards of morality overlook that the world’s first scientific tome on human eroticism viz. Vatsayana’s Kama Sutra belongs to the Indian treasure? The burning issues like terrorism, corruption, inflation etc don’t hurt the ‘patriotic’ sentiments of those who are up in arms with Hussain’s allegedly obnoxious painting. I am reminded of Shashi Tharoor’s article, published some time ago, in which he construes the judgment pertaining to Hussain’s creative art. It must be remembered that any branch of aesthetics, be it literature, sculpture or painting can not be denied of its deserved freedom of expression. Supreme Court’s verdict in Hussain’s case is an example of it.