Painter Maqbool Fida Husain, or M.F. Hussain as he is known in the industry, once India’s most sought-after painter, died on Thursday of a heart attack, aged 95. The painter was often referred at as the Picasso of India. His works were more celebrated internationally in recent years, as controversy over some nude paintings made him unpopular in his own country.
M.F. Hussain spent the last five years of his life in a self imposed exile, after a long disputed controversy over paintings dating from the 1970s, that were considered by many anti-Hindu. The paintings depicted a nude of Hindu goddess Saraswati, and a nude painting of a woman shaped like India’s map, or “Mother India.” Since January 2010, M.F. Hussain became a citizen of Qatar – and spoke of a desire to return home many times in recent years.
M.F. Hussain started out as a poster artist for Bollywood. His paintings sold for millions of dollars later on in his life. The most popular of his paintings in his early career were paintings of horses. One of the most controversial of his paintings, titled “Rape of India” was the one that brought him the exile – many Indians considered the painting a terrible denigration. “Bharat Mata”(Mother India) is a Goddess for Indians, a sacred symbol. Its figurative representation was considered blasphemy.
Despite controversy, MF’s contribution to the world of the arts cannot be disregarded. He managed to distance himself from traditional painting styles, and also became a symbol of Indian talent abroad. The news of his death was received with sorrow by his contemporary artists, and even by some of those who condemned his art. Perhaps, all Indians should find in their hearts the power to forgive him, and give him due respect now, when he has left this world. In the end, we all answer to God, and God alone.
M.F. Hussain spent the last five years of his life in a self imposed exile, after a long disputed controversy over paintings dating from the 1970s, that were considered by many anti-Hindu. The paintings depicted a nude of Hindu goddess Saraswati, and a nude painting of a woman shaped like India’s map, or “Mother India.” Since January 2010, M.F. Hussain became a citizen of Qatar – and spoke of a desire to return home many times in recent years.
Despite controversy, MF’s contribution to the world of the arts cannot be disregarded. He managed to distance himself from traditional painting styles, and also became a symbol of Indian talent abroad. The news of his death was received with sorrow by his contemporary artists, and even by some of those who condemned his art. Perhaps, all Indians should find in their hearts the power to forgive him, and give him due respect now, when he has left this world. In the end, we all answer to God, and God alone.
