'There is no conflict between generations'

S H Raza may have turned 81, but age isn’t stopping this octogenarian artist from enthusiastically involving himself in the Indian art scene.
The France-based Raza is in Mumbai for a week and, apart from inaugurating a show, had a joint show with Sujata Bajaj at Guild Art Gallery.
Raza and Bajaj’s friendship goes back to 1983 when Bajaj, now based in Paris and Norway, debuted on the Indian art scene.Raza was taken up by her work and remarks, “I’ve been tracking her work ever since.�
He adds, “I love her work because it has an intrinsic value. A certain (visual) split which not a lot of younger artists have.� Says Bajaj, “Raza saw my work in India and was the first person to tell me to go to Paris to understand and develop my work further.� She feels that Raza has always had a commitment to the younger generation of artists.
“In fact, every time I finish a piece of work, I ask for his advice!� What about criticism? Says Bajaj, the winner of this year’s Raza Foundation Award, “Oh, Razasaab is very demanding. But, of course, since he is a senior artist, I profit from his experience.�
But, she points out, it’s not a guru-shishya relationship between them: “Raza doesn’t have a direct influence on my work. But indirectly, I’ve learned a lot from this master. Raza works his way, I work my way.�
Raza thinks differently, remarking, “There are certain similarities between her work and mine. There’s an energy in her work and I hope there’s some in mine too!� Work apart, Paris is where Bajaj’s family — Norwegian hubby Rune Jul Larsen and 7-year-old daughter Helena — along with Raza go and try out different types of food.
“But occasionally, Helena does drag Razasaab and they go eat pizzas!� says Bajaj, a foodie herself whose classes in Indian cooking are a runaway hit in Norway. The joint show at the Guild is close to both the artists’ hearts.
Says Raza, “I wanted to show that there is no conflict in generations.� Adds Bajaj, “I feel thrilled and privileged to show my works alongside his.�