M.F. Husain (1915â2011) was one of India's most renowned modern artists, celebrated for his bold and colorful works that combined traditional Indian themes with contemporary art styles. Starting as a billboard painter in Mumbai, Husain rose to fame with his distinct style, blending modernism with Indian cultural motifs. He was honored with prestigious awards such as the Padma Shri (1955), Padma Bhushan (1973), and Padma Vibhushan (1991) and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1986.His works often sparked controversy, particularly his depiction of Hindu deities and a painting titled Bharat Mata, which led to protests and self-imposed exile. His painting Battle of Ganga and Jamuna, Mahabharata sold for $1.6 million in 2008, setting a record for Indian art. Husain also ventured into filmmaking, with works like Meenaxi, A Tale of Three Cities, which received critical acclaim but faced backlash over religious interpretations. Despite controversies, Husain remains a towering figure in Indian art history, celebrated for his creativity and artistic legacy.209 views Jul 3, 2020 #kodak #madras #portfolioIn the 1980s, armed with a 35 mm SLR camera, Husain roamed the streets of Madras (now Chennai), a city not unlike like Mumbai, that manufactures dreams. Here Husain was able to capture a surplus of images from the urban metropolis resulting in a portfolio of 20 unique photographs â Culture of the Street â where Husain's view of how an ancient culture struggles to find a modern identity becomes evident. The use of foiled photo paper adds an unreal gloss and sheen â reflecting the fantasy world that the commercial cinema, allowing the common man to escape the grime and mundane reality of city life. Maqbool Fida Husain, born in 1915, was a seminal figure in Indian art and a founding member of the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group. With a career spanning over six decades, Husain painted a diverse range of subjects, including female nudes, Mother Teresa, scenes from the Ramayana, and urban and rural landscapes. Drawing influence from Cubism, Husain's work brought a modernist edge to Indian subject matter. A secular Muslim, Husain was the subject of frequent criticism for his irreverent depictions of Hindu culture.Husain began his art career in Bombay, painting billboards for Bollywood movies. Though primarily a painter, Husain also ventured into photography and filmmaking. His works have been exhibited internationally and can be found in the collections of the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, among others. His work has achieved six- and seven-figure results at auction.
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