Karate master to exhibit CMs paintings in blood

CHENNAI: Controversial and unconventional karate guru Shihan Hussaini is glad that his collection of ‘blood’ paintings will finally see the light of day. An ardent admirer of TN Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Hussaini (also an artist and sculptor) will showcase a series of 56 portraits of the CM  painted in his own blood. He says, “I painted them in 2004 on the occasion of her 56th birthday.” But due to what he calls “political pressures” at the time, he says “the paintings were only open to the public for one day”. “A number of people ask me why I am wasting so much blood,” says Hussaini candidly as he explains, “Over the last 20 years I have donated 89 bottles of blood and saved 102 lives.” Every time he donates blood to a hospital he requests for an extra 50 ml to be drawn, to use for his paintings.The vision is that ‘blood art’ will promote a new art form and blood donation side by side. “Blood is a very powerful medium,” he explains, “And if you think about it, making a portrait of a loved one in that person’s own blood will immortalise him or her in blood (if not flesh).”It may be recalled that in 1994 he performed a death defying stunt -- 101 cars passed over his right hand in full public view. This was followed by the karate master smashing 5,000 tiles and 1,000 bricks with the same hand. “I vowed to use every drop of blood to create a painting in honour of our respected CM, who was in power at that time,” Hussaini reminisces. He adds with apparent gratitude, “The very next day she called me and urged that I should not hurt myself for art. She then proceeded to gift me 18 grounds of land and `3 lakh for my karate school.”The blood paintings are set to be permanently exhibited at Hussaini’s own art gallery from May 18. The artist hopes that using blood as a medium will find acceptance with the public. In fact, he reveals, “if I meet our CM in the future, I will request a few drops from her to paint a portrait that will keep her alive in our memory for years to come.” The gesture is heart-warming as he is currently working on a portrait of his own mother using her blood.