Arts and Theater

Celebrating The Artistic Genius of M.F. Husain

Introduction:

Born in 1915 in the small town of Pandharpur, Maharashtra, M. F. Husain, grew up artistically inclined. At the age of 20, he moved to Bombay, the city of dreams. He was inspired and humbled by the trials of the city, and he took in every opportunity that would fuel his artistic quest. The only comfort came in the confluence of his two passions- painting and cinema. He began his career painting cinematic billboards, which adorn the streets he had hitherto aimlessly roamed. Through the 1940s, he worked relentlessly to establish his artistic footprint. And after spending a year at the Sir JJ School of Art, he got further involved in deciphering the continuity of art; as an anarchic dialect that tied together and retained its rich history and embraced modern innovations. On the occasion of his birthday, here are five important series of works by M.F. Husain, compiled by Sunny Chandiramani, Vice President Client Relations of AstaGuru Auction House.

Five Important Series by M.F. Husain

Horses: On the global platform, M.F. Husain was seemingly synonymous with his paintings of horses. Capturing his rendition of the beast in the full force of their majestic gallops, the artist created works that surpassed the usual realm of discernment and evoked sublime emotions in the viewer. He once said, “The cavalcade of my horses is multidimensional.” His valiant brush strokes were just reigns that eventually set his horses blazing across canvases.

(Horse With A Bouquet), Acrylic on canvas, 35 x 23 in

Mother Teresa: M.F. Husain began depicting the visuals of Mother Teresa in the year 1980. The said series is considered to be amongst his most revered, as well as personal because the artist yearned to fill the void of having lost his mother during his childhood. Through this series, he showcased the profound impact the saint had on his life and work.
The extended and momentous drape with a blue border is symbolic and perfectly represents the aura of Mother Teresa. For the artist, merely depicting Mother Teresa based on her countenance didn’t encapsulate the essence of her spiritual magnitude. And therefore M.F. Husain, methodized a treatment, barring her human presence, exuding her gracious, maternal virtuosity.

(Mother Teresa), Acrylic on canvas board, Circa 1990, 36 x 24 in

Theorema: M.F. Husain was an ardent believer of secularism and took great pride in India’s diversity. The artist created a unique collection of paintings dedicated towards the theme of religion and faith. He executed the works by retaining the pictorial religious symbols in tandem with the efficacy of his artistic persona and style. M.F. Husain’s concern about the devotion of humans and the aura of divinity inspired him to create an impressive ten-panel series titled Theorama. Executed during the early 1990s, these awe-inspiring creations were an elaborate homage to ten globally followed faiths. He etched the essence of the respective religion’s canons with precision and immense reverence. Executed on a monumental scale, this work elucidates his ideal vision.

Theorama Series- Islam, Acrylic on canvas, 1992, 78 x 140 in.

The British Raj: The multifarious canvases of the British Raj Series are playful, where tableaus of Indian and British subjects come together with important elements of Indian culture in a satirical visual commentary. The caricatures reminiscent of the dominant colonisers, indolent Maharajas and their bejewelled queens, petty babus, and voiceless servants offer an insight into the social, political, and economic realities of life in India as a colonised nation. Marking a detour from Husain’s mythical inspirations, the British Raj paintings became the artist’s foray into political history. It continues to be regarded as one of the most important series that the artist rigorously returned to throughout the subsequent decades.

Raj, Acrylic, metallic gold & bronze paint on canvas, 1987, 47 x 92 in

Rangmala: M.F. Husain has recurrently paid homage to Indian cultural traditions in their classical forms and during the period of the 1950s to the late 1960s, he produced one of his most energetic series of works entitled Ragamala, capturing the artist’s continuous fascination with rasa (aesthetic rapture). The interdisciplinary nature of music, sculpture, dance, painting and film provided enormous inspiration to Husain at that time and his Ragamala series embodies the masterful usage of his most recognisable pictorial elements.

(Ragmala), Oil on canvas, Circa 1990, 24 x 36 in

Conclusion:

These are a few of M.F.Husain’s most famous paintings. Some of his other works include Lady with Veena, Battle of Ganga and Jamuna, Bharat Mata and more. His works serve as an inspiration to many other artists.

October 30, 2022

Reviving the art of storytelling: Chitrakathi

The once popular Chitrakathi, storytelling through paintings, is brought back to life by the Gangawane family in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg. Ketki Gadre interviews the last family practicing this art form to delve into their motivations and the supporters who have aided them on this journey. After a long day of trekking the Western Ghats around Bhogwe Beach in Sindhudurg, my luxury resort, Coco Shambhala, suggested an unusual activity – an art class. They agreed to it and invited Chetan Gangavane, a third-generation Chitrakathi artist working to revive this art form. Chitrakathi Art While setting up the art activity, Mr Chetan briefs me about the 11 art forms his community (Thakar) has been involved with for generations. His family currently practices three art forms unique to Maharashtra: String puppetry, Chitrakathi, and Shadow puppetry. “Chitrakathi involves storytelling through art on a 12×15” or 12×18” canvas, which can take 1-3 days to complete, depending on the painting’s intricacy. Traditionally, these paintings depicted scenes from mythological epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, accompanied by live singers playing instruments. Therefore, Chitrakathi artists needed not only painting skills but also the ability to sing and play instruments,” explains Mr. Chetan. The Thakar community, an Adivasi tribe living in the forests, gained recognition for their art from the erstwhile warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He brought them out of forests and closer to towns and provided them opportunities to perform art shows during festivals. In return, the community assisted the king by spreading messages of social enlightenment through their art. The artists earned their livelihood for many years through food or monetary donations. However, over time, attitudes shifted, and people stopped donating food and began treating them with disrespect. The Gangavane family is the last Thakar community to practice this centuries-old art form. The rest gave up with

Arts and Theater

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Arts and Theater

5 Prolific Women Contemporary Indian Artists to Watch for in 2024

In 2023, women artists from India achieved new heights and were lauded worldwide. With Amrita Sher-Gil’s work ‘The Story Teller’ becoming the most expensive Indian artwork ever sold, Google honouring Zarina Hashmi for her life’s work, and Nalini Malani winning the 2023 Kyoto Prize, Indian women artists in both modern and contemporary art are gaining momentum. This year, contemporary Indian women artists continued to wield their creativity as a powerful force, shaping the art scene and contributing to the evolution of societal narratives. With 2024 upon us, the recognition and interest Indian women artists receive will only continue to rise. Sneha Gautam, Senior Vice President at AstaGuru Auction House, lists some eminent women artists whom art enthusiasts and collectors should watch for in this year. Nalini Malani: Among the trailblazers in the contemporary art scene who are making an impact on a global scale is painter and multimedia artist Nalini Malani, recognised for her innovative use of technology and distinctive visual language. Born in Karachi in 1946, she studied at Sir J.J. School of Arts and became one of India’s video art pioneers. Malani’s work often explores themes of feminism, war, and the human condition, challenging viewers to engage with complex issues in new and thought-provoking ways. Her dedication to seeing the artist as an activist and her exploration of womanhood through various media has indelibly impacted India’s contemporary art. Bharti Kher: Influential contemporary Indian artist Bharti Kher was born in London to Indian immigrant parents in 1969. She captivates with her avant-garde creations that transcend traditional boundaries and is best known for works constructed with many bindis. Renowned for her thought-provoking sculptures and installations, Kher often explores themes of identity, mythology, and the female form. With a unique artistic vocabulary, she challenges conventional notions, using unconventional materials to craft

Arts and Theater

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