Journey of Maqbool Fida Husain - MF HUSAIN

On June 9, 2011, at the age of 95, Maqbool Fida Husain breathes his last in a London hospital following a heart attack.

 

He moved to Mumbai in 1935 and joined Sir JJ School of Arts for a year. In 1937, he began his career painting cinema hoardings for a living. (TOI Photo)

In 1946, Francis Newton Souza, another famous artist, invites him to join the Bombay Progressive Artists Group. The following year, he debuts in art world, with his painting “Sunhera Sansaar” winning an award at annual exhibition of Bombay Art Society. (TOI Photo)

MF Husain's first solo exhibition was held in Mumbai in 1952, and first international solo exhibition at Zurich in the same year.

He makes his first film, "Through the Eyes of a Painter" in 1967 and won the Golden Bear at Berlin Film Festival.

In 1971, he was a special invitee, along with Pablo Picasso (inset), at Sao Paulo Biennial

He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1973 and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1986. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1991.

In 1996, Husain's works became controversial because of their portrayal of Hindu deities in the nude and eight criminal complaints were filed against him. In 1998, his home in Mumbai was attacked by Hindu groups and his art works vandalized.

In 2004, Delhi HC dismisses complaints of “promoting enmity between different groups” by painting goddesses Durga and Sarswati in the nude. However, charged with hurting religious sentiments, MF husain leaves India in 2006 never come back.

He accepts Qatari citizenship in 2010 but remains vocal about his desire to return to India.

On June 9, 2011, at the age of 95, Maqbool Fida Husain breathes his last in a London hospital following a heart attack.