M.F. Husain

Maqbool Fida Husain (1915–2011) was one of India’s most celebrated and controversial modern artists, often referred to as the “Picasso of India.” A leading figure of the Progressive Artists’ Group (PAG) formed after India’s independence, Husain revolutionised modern Indian painting by blending traditional Indian themes with bold modernist forms.
Throughout his prolific career, Husain produced thousands of paintings, murals, drawings, and prints, capturing the dynamism, diversity, and contradictions of Indian life. His art evoked mythology, history, and everyday experience — expressed through a unique visual vocabulary of simplified figures, sweeping lines, and vibrant colour.

Early Life and Education

M.F. Husain was born on 17 September 1915 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, into a Muslim family from Gujarat. His early years were marked by hardship — his mother died when he was very young, and he grew up in Indore, where his fascination with art began.
He was largely self-taught, though he briefly studied calligraphy and drawing. In his youth, Husain painted cinema hoardings and designed toys in Mumbai to earn a living. This experience of popular visual culture profoundly influenced his later artistic style, characterised by large-scale compositions, expressive imagery, and an instinct for dramatic storytelling.

Artistic Beginnings and Progressive Artists’ Group

In 1947, Husain joined a group of young artists — including F.N. Souza, S.H. Raza, Akbar Padamsee, and Tyeb Mehta — who founded the Progressive Artists’ Group (PAG) in Mumbai. Their aim was to break away from colonial academic art and traditional Indian styles (like the Bengal School) to create a new modern Indian art rooted in both international modernism and Indian identity.
The PAG artists drew inspiration from European movements such as Cubism, Expressionism, and Fauvism, while remaining deeply engaged with Indian subjects — gods, goddesses, festivals, musicians, and common people.
Husain’s work stood out for its energy, confidence, and accessibility, capturing the imagination of critics and the public alike.

Artistic Style and Themes

M.F. Husain developed a distinctive visual language that combined modernist abstraction with figurative expressionism. His art reflected both folk vitality and cosmopolitan sophistication.

1. Figurative Expressionism

• Husain’s figures are elongated, simplified, and dynamic, often rendered in flat, bright colours.
• His brushwork is bold and spontaneous, giving a sense of rhythm and movement.
• Faces are frequently featureless — an artistic device that universalises emotion and identity.

2. Indian Mythology and Spirituality

• One of Husain’s most celebrated themes was Hindu mythology — particularly the stories of Rama, Sita, Durga, Saraswati, Krishna, and others.
• He interpreted these deities symbolically, as embodiments of beauty, energy, and emotion.
• His series Mahabharata and Mother Teresa show how he used mythology to comment on contemporary Indian values and spirituality.

3. Woman as Central Motif

• The feminine figure dominates much of Husain’s work — often portrayed as mother, goddess, or muse.
• His depictions of women are both sensuous and spiritual, symbolising strength, fertility, and creativity.
• The celebrated Mother Teresa series reimagines the saintly figure as an icon of compassion and motherhood.

4. Rural and Urban India

• Husain painted India in all its diversity — from rural villagers and horses to cityscapes and cinema.
• His works often juxtapose tradition and modernity, reflecting the changing face of India in the 20th century.

5. Horses and Motion

• The horse became one of Husain’s recurring symbols — representing power, grace, and freedom.
• Inspired by Chinese calligraphy and Indian miniatures, his horse paintings are among his most iconic works.

6. Modernity and Nationalism

• Husain’s art celebrated India’s cultural plurality. His “Indian Civilization” series, commissioned by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, depicted the evolution of Indian history and culture across centuries.

Major Works and Series

Some of M.F. Husain’s most notable works and themes include:

Experiments Beyond Painting

M.F. Husain was a true polymath — working across multiple media.

1. Film-making

• He directed several films, blending art and cinema.
• His first film, Through the Eyes of a Painter (1967), won the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival.
• Later films include Gaja Gamini (2000) featuring Madhuri Dixit and Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities (2004).

2. Public Art and Murals

• Created murals and installations for public spaces, including the Indian Pavilion at international exhibitions.
• Designed sets and posters, merging art with mass media and performance.

Controversies

Despite his fame, M.F. Husain became the centre of controversy in India for his depictions of Hindu deities in the nude. Critics accused him of offending religious sentiments, while his supporters defended his artistic freedom and interpretation of divine symbolism.
Between the 1990s and 2000s, several lawsuits and death threats forced him to live in exile. Husain eventually accepted Qatari citizenship in 2010, after his Indian passport was revoked, though he maintained his deep affection for India.
He once remarked:

“I never left India — India has left me.”

Recognition and Awards

M.F. Husain received numerous national and international honours throughout his career:

• Padma Shri (1955)
• Padma Bhushan (1973)
• Padma Vibhushan (1991) – India’s second-highest civilian award
• Golden Bear Award – Berlin International Film Festival (1967)
• National Film Award for Through the Eyes of a Painter
• Exhibitions in major art institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art (New York), Victoria and Albert Museum (London), and National Gallery of Modern Art (New Delhi)

Personal Life and Death

M.F. Husain was married to Fazila Husain, with whom he had six children. His son Owais Husain is also a noted artist and filmmaker.
He continued to work prolifically well into his nineties, creating large canvases and installations. Husain passed away on 9 June 2011 in London, at the age of 95. He was buried in Brookwood Cemetery, far from the homeland he immortalised in his art.

Legacy

M.F. Husain’s contribution to Indian art is immeasurable. He redefined what it meant to be an Indian artist in the modern world — balancing tradition and innovation, spirituality and sensuality, nationalism and cosmopolitanism.

• He transformed Indian modern art into a global phenomenon, bridging East and West.
• His fearless exploration of themes and forms inspired generations of artists to embrace freedom and experimentation.
• Despite controversy, Husain’s art remains a symbol of pluralism, creativity, and artistic courage.