How does one write an obituary piece on an icon whose life exemplified an indomitable ‘never say die’ spirit?
Quite the ‘poster boy’ back then, with his Karate Classes publicised across Chennai, I first met Shihan Hussaini during my NDTV avatar. The martial arts exponent had been arrested by the city police over an altercation. I vividly remember that image of him standing on the first floor of the Saidapet Magistrate’s Court sporting a black T Shirt with the word “Framed” painted across it. Hussaini waved at me and pointed to this chest. It was a powerful statement even without a sound byte.
Strangely, he was prone to controversies. An arrest at the Chennai Airport for another confrontation, this time with an Immigration official, landed him in Tihar Jail. On his release, many would have expected to see a broken man. But during his stay there, Hussaini realised that without mirrors, the jail inmates could not see themselves. That led him to sketch the faces of prisoners. What followed was an exhibition of these sketches in Chennai. This time, the posters screamed “Tihar returned Shihan Hussaini’s Art Exhibition.” I could only marvel at his spirit. To break free from even stigma.
Writing an appeal to late Chief Minister Dr.Jayalalithaa with his blood was seen as an extreme act of sycophancy but it made headlines. Hussaini was a born actor and communicator and not surprisingly was a good choice for some of our Good Morning India shows on NDTV where he once taught me to break tiles with a karate chop! As a reward, he treated me and my crew to parrotas, eggs and mutton liver at Coronet Hotel in Adyar!
I have not come across a more versatile and multi-faceted person than Hussaini. From his Ishinriyu Karate School to starting a Security Agency catering to film producers in their fight against video piracy to sketching to acting to motivational lecturing to endurance feats like having cars drive over his hand to archery, here was a man who was talent personified.
To his mentees and friends, his updates on the social media from the ICU battling recently diagnosed blood cancer, were heart-breaking. We thought and we prayed that he would fight this too and win.
I don’t think I ever told him that I admired him for many of his qualities. I will now. Take a bow, Hussaini. A karate bow.
(Sanjay Pinto is an Advocate practising at the Madras High Court, Legal Columnist, Arbitrator, Author of 4 Books & Former Resident Editor of NDTV 24×7)
