Dharwad couple reminisce their meeting with Hussain

HUBLI: The death of celebrated painter M F Hussain has come as a rude shock to Dharwad-based artiste couple Madhu Desai and Gayathri Desai.
The couple will cherish for a long time, the fact that the painter had visited their painting exhibition during the early 90s in Mumbai. Talking to TOI, the couple said it was a great feeling and they were immensely happy when Hussain had dropped in to their painting expo.They said his death is a great loss to the field of art and to India.
Throwing light on the discussion that had taken place between them during the Mumbai expo, he said: "Hussain gave tips to me on drawing. He was ahead of times. His skills and thinking is a model for others."
Further, he said Hussain was like a father figure to him and his struggle-filled life is an inspiration for everyone.
Madhu has a possession of Hussain's drawing cum autograph of a horse, on an A4 size sheet. He has kept the priceless drawing in a safe locker in a bank.
Madhu said they first came in direct contact with the painter in 1985, when the Karnataka State Artistes had organized Kalamela at Venkatappa Art Gallery in Bangalore. Hussain was a special invitee to the mela. He did a painting on the occasion, which was purchased by the then chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde and culture minister Jeevraj Alva, both fans of Hussain, on behalf of the government.
He said an art gallery `Hussain Sankalpa' which was opened in Koramangala, Bangalore, as a mark of respect to him, was closed after his paintings were vandalized. The gallery had held exhibitions and interactions for over 10 years before it was closed. Madhu said till 1996 he constantly met Hussain in art exhibitions before the celebrated painter got busy in his works.