One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] On February 22nd, 2009, a few hours before his 88th birthday celebration, to be held in The Lalit hotel, Syed Haider Raza is struggling alone in a basement room in Hauz Khas Enclave. Despite painting for 60 years, he is unsure of how his new creation will appear on completion. Staring hard at the mostly blank canvas, he says, “I’m trying to give a feel of Rajasthan.” Born in central India and living in France since 1950, Mr Raza is visiting Delhi to attend a special show in which private collectors will mark his birth anniversary by exhibiting his paintings, which are in high demand internationally.