A legacy takes root

Parekh's great ability is taking risks and refusing to confine himself to a trope

If the opening on November 5 of Manu Parekh’s New Delhi exhibition of paintings had a star turnout — it was also the artist’s 80th birthday — it said as many things about Manu bhai the person as it did about Manu bhai the painter. A long career in art has seen its fruition over the last two decades, a period in which Parekh has come to epitomise his muse, Banaras, in art. His distinctive style of painting has made him a recognised artist, but Manu bhai is important today for things other than just his practice.

For one, he is