Important Notice

Khakhar's works are often populated with figures whose interactions often stand for larger, complex societal issues. This work illustrates the one-line story scrawled at the bottom of the painting: "In a small village in Kheda a farmer bought a papaya 7ft x 10ft to a competition. He won the first prize." The district of Kheda in Gujarat is famously remembered for Gandh''s satyagraha against taxes during widespread famines under the British... Khakhar's works are often populated with figures whose interactions often stand for larger, complex societal issues. This work illustrates the one-line story scrawled at the bottom of the painting: "In a small village in Kheda a farmer bought a papaya 7ft x 10ft to a competition. He won the first prize." The district of Kheda in Gujarat is famously remembered for Gandh''s satyagraha against taxes during widespread famines under the British regime. With this work, Khakhar might have revisited memories from a bygone time, paying tribute to Gandhi in the process, or might have merely illustrated a thought. Viewed in this light, the painting imbues a sense of humour. Speaking about Khakhar in an interview, acclaimed artist Gulammohammed Sheikh said, "He was never an overtly political man or artist. His politics was his humour. Till the end, he maintained the funny, dramatic grain." (Sanjukta Sharma, "Tribute | Being Bhupen", Live Mint, Nov. 30 2013, accessed online)

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