In the early 1960s, when I came in touch with Bhupen Khakhar, he had a lucrative practice as a chartered account. In Gujarati society, that kind of money meant something. In those days painting did not yield any money. But Bhupen left his practice and pursued his passion.
One of my favourite paintings by Bhupen is 'You Cannot Please All'. It is in the National Museum. It is a seminal work. It portrayed his gay identity. It's a highly effective painting. He too liked that painting.
Since the beginning his gay identity was brought out through his paintings, but not many would catch it. But once he went to England in 1979, he gained in confidence and experience. His 'Man In The Pub' was quite explicit.
But his gay identity reached new heights when he drew 'Next Morning'. It is in Praful Shah's collection. That's mind-boggling. The painting shows two naked men, their bodies starkly painted with their genitals exposed.
It's a monumental piece of work. Two lovers are shown
When he got cancer he was not at all a changed person. He was always a man of black humour and he remained unchanged. He would joke with his doctor, "Tell me how many months you are going to give me. Come on, you are my friend, you must give me two months."
He would never talk to others about his disease and sufferings. Another thing special about him was that he liked his Gujarati identity. He was proud to be Gujarati. He always talked in Gujarati and in gatherings he would search out Gujaratis.
He was a clever man and an amazing man. Both these characteristics he used in his paintings and became successful.
Gulam Mohammed Sheikh, Baroda-based painter and writer, was a close friend of Bhupen Khakhar since the early 1960s. He spoke to Sheela Bhatt in New Delhi on telephone from Baroda.
