MF Husain (Maqbool Fida Husain), who was called as Picasso of India was died on 9th June 2011 at London, United Kingdom. MF Husain is a India’s most celebrated painter and was 95 years old when he was died late last night. He earned fame and controversy for his paintings on Hindu Goddesses. Forbes magazine has described him as the Picasso of India. MF Husain was on self imposed exile since 2006 and was offered a citizenship of Qatar.
MF Husain’s paintings regularly fetched over $1 million at auctions across the world. His painting career began in the mid 1940s when he started painting film posters. Husain joined the Progressive Artists’ Group during 1947, which was headed by another legend, FN Souza.
Husain’s most controversial painting was the depiction of Mother India in a objectionable manner and its superimposition on India map. There were series of protests by various groups on his paintings and Husain finally withdrew the controversial painting from an exhibition. Husain also apologised later for the controversial depiction of Mother India. Following is the brief profile / biodata of MF Husain:
1. Name: Maqbool Fida Husain
2. Date and Place of Birth: 17th September 1915 at Pandharpur, Maharashtra, India
3. Awards: Padmasree by Govt. of India in 1955.
4. Member: Progressive Artists Group
5. Controversial Paintings: Mother India (On India Today Magazine)
6. Controversial Films: Meenakshi : A Tale of Three Cities
7. Most costly painting: Battle of Ganga and Jamuna: Mahabharata 12 (Inspired from the Hindu epic, the painting fetched $1.6 million setting a world record at Christie’s South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art sale.)
8. Date of Death: 9th June 2011 at London, United Kingdom.