Date of Birth: September 17, 1915
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: June 9, 2011
Biography
Maqbool Fida Husain, widely known as M.F. Husain, was an Indian artist considered one of the most celebrated and controversial painters of the 20th century. Born in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, Husain moved to Indore and later to Mumbai, where he studied at the J.J. School of Art. Initially, he earned a living painting cinema hoardings and designing children’s furniture and toys. He garnered attention in the late 1940s as a member of the Progressive Artists’ Group, which sought to break away from the nationalist traditions of Indian art to embrace a more modernist approach. Husain’s work is characterized by its bold, vibrant colors and a unique blend of cubism and classical Indian styles. His themes often revolve around Indian mythology, history, and contemporary subjects. He was known for his series of paintings on the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well as his depictions of Mother Teresa and the city of Mumbai. Despite his acclaim, Husain’s career was not without controversy. Some of his works, particularly those depicting Hindu deities in unconventional forms, sparked outrage and led to legal troubles and threats against his life. This eventually led him to live in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London. He was awarded numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India.
5 Interesting Facts about M. F. Husain
1. M.F. Husain was originally a cinema billboard painter before gaining fame as an artist.
2. He was a founding member of the Progressive Artists’ Group, which aimed to promote modernist art in India.
3. Husain had a deep fascination with horses, which frequently appeared in his paintings.
4. He spent his later years in self-imposed exile due to controversies and threats over his artwork.
5. Husain was also a filmmaker, and his film “Through the Eyes of a Painter” won a Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1967.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from M. F. Husain
1. “A painter is like a poet. He must interpret his own vision, not the vision of the society.”
2. “I am an Indian-origin painter. I will remain so to my last breath.”
3. “You cannot please everyone, and I am not trying to. I’ve always done what I felt was right.”
4. “Art has to be forgotten. Beauty must be realized.”
5. “My work is my language, and I speak through my art.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At his peak, M.F. Husain’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.
Children
M.F. Husain had six children: Owais Husain, Shamshad Husain, Raisa Husain, Shafaat Husain, Mustafa Husain, and Aqueela Husain.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – M. F. Husain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._F._Husain
2. [Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/M-F-Husain
3. [M.F. Husain on The Art Story](https://www.theartstory.org/artist/husain-m-f/
4. [Interview with M.F. Husain](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2006/aug/09/art.india
5. [M.F. Husain’s films on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0403623/
