#TGLIFE:
You are known as a rebellious political artist...
Riyas Komu: Well, I call myself a political artist but I am not a politician. I address social issues through discussions which should be a collective effort. It is not just artists - there are film makers, poets, writers or architects who fight for heritage values. There are exemplary politicians who look at social space in a very different context of power. They think more about sharing power, rather than occupying power. So everything should thrive in a social space. India is passing through very interesting times. There is a certain sense of fear in the air. We should also do things to celebrate our diversity, much more to ease those kinds of fears and stop polarising the society.
Do you believe that art, through exhibiting dissent, can change the system?
I always feel that it's a wrong argument - by the state - to not allow cultural discourses or dissent. Dissent allows creative thinking. The discourses help in solving conflicts and they allow art to flourish. I don't go with an argument which is very much there in the air that these kinds of (rebellious) voices won't be allowed. Historically if you save art, art will save you. Art festivals are so important for people; just look at the amount of conversations that happen. Art is a catalyst. It connects, it brings people together. Discussions and criticisms allow the society to move forward. Dissent should be allowed. Otherwise it's like killing the creative instincts in the next generation.
You made a U-turn from literature to art. Was there a turning point?
I was actively politically engaged with art in 1992. I came to Mumbai to study textile designing at J J School of Art. At that time the biggest historical blunder happened in India in 1992 - the demolition of Babari Masjid - which had a very strong effect on me. I started moving closer towards expressing through my work. It was a slow process. I started developing different kinds of interests around religion and its relations with people, whether it (religion) is doing good or bad. Religion has taken different shape in recent times in Indian context. I came into art practice at a junction. That (Babari Masjid demolition) had an impact, followed by bomb blasts and here I am.
How has the journey been as an artist ever since?
The system has created a lot of political enmity between individuals because religion has become a tool to create polarisation. In that sense, my art has a biggest turning point in social churnings in India. Through my work I try to look at prospects and possibilities to make society move forward. Nobody can freeze my brain to make me stop thinking. Whenever I am doing practicing art or curating projects - I provoke thinking. That's something which I constantly want to do and I think it's a healthy practice.
Are you hopeful of India's great future in art?
India has to produce great art. We are at a junction and I am sure, great art is going to come out of this country now. There is a momentum today which provokes the artists constantly. The whole danger in today's discourses is politics. Because of the religious supremacy, there is an attempt to create a mono culture against the multi-culture we all cherish and for which our constitution stands for. It's a tough time. But tough times create great art. I am actually looking for very interesting thoughts and distinct languages coming out from these churnings.
But what about the history that's taught to us, how much truth does it hold?
People are trying to be myopic about our own history. History is always written by people of that time. We read history that's written by someone else. But we shouldn't read one part, one portion of the history. We must read all the interpretations.
Can one survive and thrive on art?
Why not? Look at Goa. How long will you sell your beaches? You have to relocate your history, create museums, create art institutions, make your state a cultural hub then you will have people coming in. Art is a catalyst. It connects, brings people together. People travel from different parts of the world here, if they get another flavour of the city, it will help your economy and empower local people.
