The many hues of Husain
Riddhi Doshi
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 23:59 IST
Interesting nuggets about the maestro’s life.
He turns 93 today. One of the most popular and talented Indian masters is all set to have a small family dinner in Dubai, to celebrate the occasion. He will also unveil one of his large works that he has made for a bank there. Why such a low key birthday and he says, “It’s not for me to celebrate the birthday with a bang. It is the time for my grandchildren to have a big birthday party.”
Akbar Padamsee, Husain’s junior in the Progressive Art Group, who calls him a ‘miraculous artist’, narrates a story that very few know. Akbar says, “Husain was just about 20 years old when he came to Mumbai from Indore. He used to live on the pavements of the Badar Baugh area near Grant Road, as he didn’t have a house to live in then. A few hoarding artists worked there. Once they had left their work to go for lunch, Husain drew the entire sketch without using the grids. The hoarding artists immediately hired him. On his second day in Mumbai, Husain had a job and right opposite was his future wife. The girl living in the opposite building invited him for dinner; her father liked Husain and got the daughter married to him. Husain soon moved to his wife’s place and in a room of 10 by 12, he made a loft which became his first art studio. When I had met him on one occasion in his house, he had narrated the story to me.” Akbar adds, “On his birthday, I hope that the miraculous artists always stay miraculous.
Ram Rahman, renowned lensman who has shot Husain many times, narrates one of his fondest memories of time spent with the maverick artist. “He asked me to come to Dubai last December. His old Czechoslovakian girlfriend, Maria, had returned to him about 90 paintings that Husain had given her in the early 1960s. Husain was very excited as he believes that those were a few of his best works—the works of his younger days. He had carefully displayed all the drawings and paintings in one of the rooms of his house. He expressed a desire to open a museum in India, where he wanted to show these works. And, while I was there, he insisted that I see Madhuri Dixit’s Aaja Nachle. If I remember correctly, when he saw it with me, it was his fifth viewing!
He admitted that though the movie was not very well ‘nevertheless she was on the screen’. Everyone can learn from him how to keep young at heart. His zest for life is admirable.
d_riddhi@dnaindia.net
More ..> Art and Films: Supreme Court clears M.F. Husain of any Blasphemy
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