M.F. Husain – Goodbye to an Icon.
(September 17, 1915 – June 9, 2011)
The great artist died of a heart-attack in London, far from his homeland of India. He was a giant of the contemporary Indian art world and there are as many colorful stories about him, about the controversies swirling about him, as there are unmatchable pieces of art which encapsulate the complexities of India. New York gallerist and collector Kent Charugundla, who knew M. F. Husain well, shares some untold stories about the flamboyant artist.
“The passing of MF Husain is a great loss to the world of contemporary and modern art,” said Charugundla, who was headed out for London for the funeral. “It is also a great loss to me personally, my wife Marguerite and our children. As I heard the news I was having flashbacks, and one of the events that I vividly remembered was the day I purchased the monumental Lightning – the largest painting by M F Husain – 60 feet x 10 feet. It was the day that capitalized my art buying experience to a thunder of a lightning.
“After that I traveled to India at least 10 times every year. Every time I traveled with him either to Kolkatta or to Mumbai, the stories he shared with me were memorable. One of the evenings that I spent with the legendary artist was a warm evening in 2003, when he took me to a location to show me a painting he had done some time ago, on the wall of the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai.
We sat down for tea and snacks in the club and he shared a story with me in his humble way about a day in 1945, before independence. At that time he wasn’t allowed to enter the grounds because he was Indian and the grounds were only for the British. So he watched the game from a hole in a side gate. He told me that it was at that moment he realized that this was his land and his country; who were these invaders to tell him that he could not get in?
This immensely affected his life and it pushed him to aggressively paint and express his anger and dissatisfaction. No matter when or where I traveled with him, he had a story to tell. I miss the days that I traveled and walked with him in our motherland India. ”
Related Article:
A chat with M.F. Husain
Do you have a memory to share or comments about M.F. Husain? Please do add your thoughts here.
3 Comments
His paintings inspire the art lovers of the world. I am an artist and from childhood, I had dreamed of meeting him, but this remains just a dream. I hope I and all the art lovers get his blessings to be an artist like him..
Thanks for sharing this very personal memory, Gurmeet. He was indeed as colorful and flamboyant as his art. For all those who want to pay tribute, the Tamarind Art Gallery has created a Memorial page on Facebook – In Memory of M. F. Husain http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_218217688199755&id=218529538168570
Hi Lavina, Love your piece on MF Hussain, a true Icon indeed. I have a little story to share.
I remember seeing him back in the 80’s, it was summer holidays in Delhi, we were living near Khan Market, all the kids were hanging out in our living room by the bay windows. A rickety old Fiat pulled up in front and this tall, skinny man with white hair, wearing dark glasses got out. Bare feet! He was looking for someone’s address, asked the dhobi downstairs for directions and left. Some of the older kids recognized him because of his distinct look and barefoot, but for me it was only later I learned how famous he was, So surreal as kid, I still remember that hazy, hot day.
Over the years, I felt his later art wasn’t as great, but I did invest in a lithograph of “Buddha and Gandhi” purchased from AICON art gallery here in New York. It was an unusual subject matter, but I like it a lot, he really did have a very good color sense.