Maqbool Fida Husain

Maqbool Fida Husain, also known as M.F. Husain, was one of the most celebrated and internationally recognized Indian artists of the 20th century. He was a founding member of the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group, which aimed to break away from the traditional Indian art style and embrace the modernist movement. He was influenced by the Indian culture, history, and mythology, as well as by the works of European masters such as Picasso and Cezanne. Husain was born on 17 September 1915 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, India, in a Suleymani Bohra family. He developed an interest in art at an early age and learned calligraphy and Kufic script. He attended the Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy School of Art in Mumbai but did not complete his education. He started his career as a painter of cinema posters and billboards for Bollywood movies. He also worked as a toy designer and maker. Husain's artistic career took off after the independence and partition of India in 1947. He became associated with the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group, which included artists such as F.N. Souza, S.H. Raza, K.H. Ara, H.A. Gade, and S.K. Bakre. They sought to create a new Indian art that was inspired by the contemporary realities and challenges of the newly independent nation. Husain's paintings depicted a wide range of subjects, such as Gandhi, Mother Teresa, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the British Raj, and motifs of Indian urban and rural life. He used a vibrant and expressive colour palette and a modified Cubist style to create his distinctive works. Husain was also a prolific filmmaker and made several experimental films that explored various aspects of Indian culture and society. His first film, Through the Eyes of a Painter (1967), won a Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. His other films include Gaja Gamini (2000), Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities (2004), and Rang Rasiya (2008). Husain's later works sparked controversy for depicting Hindu deities in nude or erotic poses. He faced protests, lawsuits, and threats from right-wing groups who accused him of hurting religious sentiments and defaming national symbols. He was forced to go into self-imposed exile in 2006 and lived in various countries such as Qatar, Dubai, London, and New York. He accepted Qatari citizenship in 2010. Husain died on 9 June 2011 at the age of 95 in London due to a heart attack. He was buried at Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey, England. He was honoured with several awards and recognitions during his lifetime, such as Padma Shri (1966), Padma Bhushan (1973), Padma Vibhushan (1991), National Film Award for Best Experimental Film (1967), Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship (1968), Raja Ravi Varma Award (2007), and Honorary Doctorates from various universities.