M.F. Husain’s Art Breaks Records Amid Controversy in India

The legacy of M.F. Husain, regarded as one of India’s most significant 20th-century artists, is experiencing a resurgence in both acclaim and controversy. In March 2023, his monumental painting “Untitled (Gram Yatra)” achieved the remarkable price of $13.75 million at a Christie’s auction in New York, setting a record as the most expensive modern Indian artwork ever sold. The painting, measuring 14 feet in length, captivated the audience, prompting spontaneous applause from onlookers.

In stark contrast, a subsequent auction in June of 25 previously lost Husain paintings in Mumbai highlighted the divided opinions surrounding his work. Security was heightened at the auction venue due to threats from the Hindu nationalist group Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, which warned of public unrest over Husain’s perceived “vulgar and obscene” representations of sacred figures. Despite the tense atmosphere, the auction proceeded without major incident, illustrating the polarized views on Husain’s contributions to Indian art.

This year has not only seen record-breaking sales but also legal actions against Husain’s works. A Delhi court ordered the seizure of two paintings deemed offensive, even as the Qatar Foundation announced plans for a museum dedicated to the artist, who fled India in 2006 fearing for his safety. Husain, often referred to as “India’s Picasso,” was celebrated for his vibrant explorations of Indian culture, yet his portrayals of nude Hindu deities have sparked significant backlash, particularly given his Muslim background.

The artist’s life was marked by both acclaim and adversity. He was born in 1915 in Pandharpur, India, to a family of the Sulaymani Bohras, a Muslim sect. His early exposure to both Hindu and Islamic art influenced his unique style, which combined traditional Indian iconography with modernist techniques. After studying art in Mumbai, he gained recognition for his work in the 1940s and 1950s, co-founding the Bombay Progressive Artists’ Group, which aimed to redefine Indian artistic expression.

Husain’s art often engaged with political and cultural narratives, but it also sparked controversy. In the late 1990s, his work faced significant backlash, particularly following the publication of a nude depiction of the goddess Saraswati. This incident marked a turning point, leading to protests and threats against the artist, and ultimately his self-imposed exile. While the Supreme Court of India later cleared Husain of obscenity charges, he never returned to his homeland, living in various countries until his death in 2011.

The recent events surrounding Husain’s auctions and the reactions to his art serve as a reflection of the current climate of Hindu nationalism in India. Dr. Diva Gujral, an art history fellow at the University of Oxford, notes that the reception of Husain’s work acts as a barometer for cultural politics in India. The protests and legal actions against Husain’s art echo a broader trend of rising religious sentiments and nationalistic fervor.

Husain’s artistic journey was marked by an unwavering commitment to his craft. He produced an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 works throughout his lifetime, spanning various mediums including painting, writing, and filmmaking. Even after leaving India, he continued to create prolifically, producing works inspired by his love for Bollywood and his exploration of Islamic themes.

His legacy is a complex tapestry of creativity, controversy, and cultural significance. The recent record-breaking auction and the heated discussions surrounding his work highlight the ongoing debate about artistic freedom, cultural identity, and the intersection of art and politics in contemporary India. As both admiration and outrage continue to shape the narrative around M.F. Husain, his work remains a vital part of the dialogue on art in a rapidly changing society.