I have depicted US President Barack Obama as clad in Gandhian attire and even wielding a stick like the Mahatma, while Bapu himself is visible in the background. The painting is titled, "OBAMAHATMA?", and bears a slogan that reads, "Mahatma maraa nahi hai… zinda hai (The Mahatma is not dead… he is alive)."
What motivated me to go on making this painting was his 45 minutes Parliamentary speech on Monday (Nov 8, 2010) which he concluded with "Jai Hind". I was indeed emotionally moved.
Further Obama is concerned with the values that Gandhiji espoused. His visit to Mani Bhavan during his 3 day visit to India was indeed touching and I decided to paint him as one who was truly representing Gandhi himself.
My message I wish to convey through my painting is that Gandhiji though no more is still alive in our consciousness. Even the president of mighty US where people are generally materialistic has to acknowledge the relevance of Gandhi in today’s troubled world.
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