Maqbool Fida Husain, (born September 17, 1915, Pandharpur) has been famously referred to as the 'Picasso of India' by Forbes magazine. (Photo: AP)
Take a look at these rare, archived images of celebrated painter Maqbool Fida Husain. ‘India's Picasso' passed away in London, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Seen in this picture at the Shwetambara exhibition at the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai.
Pics:Mid-Day.Com
MF Husain at his residence in Mumbai, a photograph of his most-famous muse Madhuri Dixit in the foreground. Pics:Mid-Day.Com
Husain with his canvas, a black and white family portrait adorns the wall above. Pics:Mid-Day.Com
Husain sips tea at one of his favourite haunts in Mumbai's Bhendi Bazaar. Pics:Mid-Day.Com
He loved food as much as he did painting. Pics:Mid-Day.Com
Barefoot Husain on the streets of Mumbai.Pics:Mid-Day.Com
The legendary painter relishes his bowl of soup.Pics:Mid-Day.Com
Click for a snapshot of MF Husain, India's most celebrated painter.
Maqbool Fida Husain, (born September 17, 1915, Pandharpur) has been famously referred to as the 'Picasso of India' by Forbes magazine. (Photo: AFP)
Husain's great talent as an artist was acknowledged as early as the 1940s. In 1952, his first solo exhibition was held at Zürich.(Photo: AFP)
The Government of India awarded him the prestigious Padma Shri in 1955.
He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1973 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1991.
Husain's first film, made in 1967 was Through the Eyes of a Painter. It was shown at the Berlin Film Festival and won a Golden Bear.
Husain went on to become the highest paid painter in India. His single canvases have fetched up to $2 million at auctions at Christie's.
He often described Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit as his muse. He made a film with her, titled Gaja Gamini. She was also the subject of a series of paintings he titled Fida. Husain had reportedly seen Madhuri's 1994 blockbuster – Hum Aapke Hai Koun…! a record 70 times.
Husain also made a film with Tabu, titled Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities.
Just last year, the celebrated painter had found a new muse in Bollywood actor Vidya Balan and reportedly watched her 2010 film Ishqiya, 12 times.
In the 1990s Husain was criticized for his controversial portrayal of Hindu deities.The controversy arose over paintings originally made in the 70s. In 2006 he was charged with 'hurting sentiments of people'.
The hate campaign unleashed against him prompted Husain to go on a self imposed exile, spending most of his time in Dubai. In 2010, he was conferred with Qatar nationality.
Apparently embarassed by the development, the Indian government made it clear Husain was free to return to India and it was ready to provide security to him. Calling Husain as the "pride of India", Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said, "I would like him to feel safe and secure in India."
But that was not to be. The celebrated painter died at Royal Brompton hospital in London at 2:30 a.m. local time, family sources said, reports PTI.
