Dubbed as the Picasso of India, the painter has not only introduced Indian art to the world, but has also made his presence felt in modern Indian art history.
Dubbed as the Picasso of India, MF Husain has not only introduced Indian art to the world, but has also made his presence felt in modern Indian art history.
Today various art schools and colleges have a chapter on Husain included in their curriculum. DNA speaks to some art students and teachers about their view on Husain being a part of the art syllabus.
Jayaram Poduval from department of art history and aesthetics, faculty of fine arts, MS University, Vadodara says, "Husain was inarguably a great painter whom we have lost. When we teach our students about modern Indian art history, his works are studied in great detail. But at the same time, there are a number of other great modern artists like Raza or Akbar Padamsee who are also being taught at out college."
Mahendra Kadia, vice-principal of CN College of Fine Arts says, "In our college, students look up to Husain with great respect. His works are now famous in USA, UK and many other art markets globally. Husain has made a mark in the art history books."
Chaitya Dhanvi Shah, MD of Marvel art gallery who has studied arts at Sothbey's in London says, "I have observed that Husain's art was really talked about in the Middle East. But we were never taught about Husain at our college in UK. There was just a mere mention about him being one of the great painters of the world."
Shah rues that even in India, Husain does not find a prominent place in the art curriculum in colleges. "It is a big loss to Indian contemporary art. He was like father of Indian contemporary art. Husain had contributed immensely in making Indian art go global and marketable the way it is today.
The status of biggest icon achieved by Husain in Indian art is because of his understanding on various subjects, be it social issues, religion or films. You name any subject and Husain would be familiar with it or could paint it spontaneously," says Shah.
He feels Husain's life is a role model to the entire art fraternity and many budding artists. "He was a cultural ambassador for India who represented Indian fine arts across the globe. But art schools in India need to teach more about the way Husain made art marketable," he feels.
Husain was a part of The Bombay Progressive Artists' Group, most influential group of modern artists in India formed in 1947. The group included names like Francis Newton Souza and SH Raza, Manishi Dey, SK Bakre, Akbar Padamsee and Tyeb Mehta.
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