Revised Preface Every work pursues its internal logic of growth. Referring to the metaphor of
the “earth–seed” relationship, which plays so vital a role in Raza’s later paintings, this book was in gestation for over 25 years. In 1972, we met Raza and his wife, Janine, in Paris, to be inspired by his impassioned paintings and their relation to
poetry and music. Our conversations nurtured a friendship that matured over time, exploring the ideas rooted in the perennial philosophies of the world— some of which are made manifest through his images. This is why commentaries by the artist form an integral part of this book. Indeed, they become the raison d’être and formulation for the chapters, each addressing itself to different problems in his life and work. Yet, the text is by no means a linear history, except for chapters two and three, which trace the beginnings of his career—first in India and then in France. The remaining four chapters deal essentially with a thought process that evolved to express itself in the language of visual metaphors. Based on interviews with the artist and with his contemporaries, my writing explores assumptions about the nature of art, its relation to values and its relevance today. Both in the West and the East, art has to play the role assigned to it in ancient civilizations—of restoring to the earth a sense of sanctity, and our place in this universe. It is time that we examine the subtler implications of art as related to our beliefs and values. The subtext for this book is my genuine concern to see art not merely as connoisseurship but as a composing part of a larger canvas that integrates different disciplines. This is why references to the new propositions in scientific theory about Gaia, to an intrinsic relation between
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Bindu: Space and Time in Raza’s Vision
