Ahmedabad pays tribute to M F Husain

AHMEDABAD: Often called the Picasso of India, Maqbool Fida Husain, popularly known as M F Husain, was a colossal artist of modern Indian art. To commemorate him on his first death anniversary, an exhibition was kicked off by Dhanvi Shah at Marvel Art Gallery on Saturday. Offering tribute to Husain on behalf of the artist community are seven artists from all over the country, who have exhibited several of Husain's prints and stereographs.
Artist Harshil Patel's work shows Husain as the king of cards, occupying the red pedestal of the art world, amid many strewn cards. "The game of card symbolizes Husain Saab's life, where though he was a master artist, there were conflicts he had to negotiate through," says Patel, who has worked with him on Amdavad ni Gufa. "But my work is an expression and tribute to the times I have spent with him." However, most other artists take off from Husain's formal stylistic elements.
Privithiraj Mali reminisces a Husain-show in Delhi, with an installation of 'Bharat Mata', and icons like flower pot with roses on a cushioned stool (Husain's exhibits at Delhi). The addition - a tub of cut thumbs, is his homage, like that of Eklavya's to his teacher! Another interesting work is Neeta Modi's, where she captures Husain on the canvas 'barcoded' within his inescapable style.
Artist Bansi Khatri paints a scroll, 'Maqbool-Nama', tracing Husain's journey in art - right from the time he painted film posters to his first solo show in 1951 to his musings with Madhuri and Bollywood to building Amdavad ni Gufa - rechristening him as the Shahenshah-e-Alam of the art world.
While Sajal Sarkar offers a series of postal stamps with Husain and his art work, Preksha Kapadia fulfils Husain's unfulfilled wish of musing Vidya Balan, and Sachin Nimbalkar makes a 'rocking' throne for the master artist. The exhibition only celebrates Husain, who was a divinity for aspiring artists. However, controversies stoked by those who misunderstood him, and his forced exile, were as much a part of his legend as the devotion he inspired.