Remembering the legend MF Husain on his birth anniversary

Legendary painter MF Husain who would have turned 96 on September 17 is being remembered in myriad ways with galleries, artists and cultural bodies in the country who are celebrating his birth anniversary.

Solo shows and special exhibitions are paying tribute to the modern master, who passed away on June 9 this year in London.

Husain's bold strokes and firm lines inspired artist Sandhya Singh to exhibit a solo show in Delhi. "I have tried to pay my respects to Husain by exhibiting my works in which I have given a tinge of his style," says Singh.

"I created these works in the year 2006-07 and was waiting for him to come back to India. Now that won't be possible and since I am good friends with his son Shamshad Husain who was present during the exhibition's inauguration," says Singh.

Husain, often referred to as the Pablo Picasso of India was part of a group of young artists led by FN Souza who wished to break away from the nationalist traditions established by the Bengal school of art and encourage an Indian avant-garde movement.

The All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS) which shares a special relation with the late artist would also be showcasing paintings, drawings, relief works etc of their members based on the life of Husain.

Parmajeet Singh, acting chairperson, AIFACS says, "The theme of the exhibition is homage to Husain. I remember Husain had a exhibition in 1954 and had sold his 'Zameen' painting. The work was a tall thin one and was simply pinned on the board. Those were dire days."

"He prepared a similar painting that was awarded by the Lalit Kala Academy and later acquired by the National Gallery of Modern Art," says Singh.

The MF Husain Gallery at the Jamia Milia Islamia in association with Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT) is conducting a day long workshop in honour of the late painter.

Presentations on Husain, his art, his inspiration in poetry, his experiments in cinema would be discussed by artists and art critics namely Geeta Kapur, S Kalidas, Ram Rahman among others.

There would also be short video screenings of films on Husain by Laurent Bregeat produced by Lalit Kala Akademi.

Apart from being an acclaimed painter, Husain had also dabbled in cinema.

Begining his career as as a Bollywood poster artist he recently co-wrote the dialogues for a film called Pehla Sitara which is the directorial debut of his son Owais Husain.

He had written and directed two feature films, Gaja Gamini (2000) and Meenaxi: Tale of Three Cities (2004). His first film, a short titled Through the Eyes of a Painter (1967) won the Golden Bear at Berlin International Film festival.

Another gallery Gallerie Nvya based in the capital would display 12 works of Husain. The exhibiton would continue till September 24.