Celebrated Indian artist Maqbool Fida Husain, who earned fame and controversy over his paintings, died in a London hospital at on Thursday. He was 96.
Husain was in self-imposed exile since 2006 after Hindu groups threatened him for his paintings of Hindu deities. Husain was a special invitee along with Pablo Picasso at the Sao Paulo Biennial in 1971. Forbes magazine later gave him the title of "Picasso of India".
In 1996 he courted controversy after his paintings of Hindu deities in the nude, originally painted in the 1970s, were interpreted as anti-Hindu. After eight legal cases and death threats in India, he was on a self imposed exile from 2006. In January, 2010, he was offered the citizenship of Qatar, which he accepted.
The painter courted controversy in his lifetime for hurting religious sentiments by painting "Mother India" as a naked woman. Husain’s paintings have often depicted revered Hindu gods and goddesses in the nude, sparking criticism from nationalist parties and activists. A decade ago, radicals even attacked his Mumbai home.
Husain's work drew protests and several court cases were filed against the painter who lived in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London.
In the past Husain, a Muslim, has received support from moderate, progressive Hindus, and on one occasion a former prime minister intervened to ensure no action was taken against him.
Husain's work shows the balance between the artist's cubist modern style of painting and Indian traditional sensibility and subject matter.
His work usually incorporated many of the artist's most recognisable themes and symbols, traditional forms of ancient Indian miniatures, sculptures, dance and folk art in one frame.
In 1996 he courted controversy after his paintings of Hindu deities in the nude, originally painted in the 1970s, were interpreted as anti-Hindu. After eight legal cases and death threats in India, he was on a self imposed exile from 2006. In January, 2010, he was offered the citizenship of Qatar, which he accepted.
The painter courted controversy in his lifetime for hurting religious sentiments by painting "Mother India" as a naked woman. Husain’s paintings have often depicted revered Hindu gods and goddesses in the nude, sparking criticism from nationalist parties and activists. A decade ago, radicals even attacked his Mumbai home.
Husain's work drew protests and several court cases were filed against the painter who lived in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London.
In the past Husain, a Muslim, has received support from moderate, progressive Hindus, and on one occasion a former prime minister intervened to ensure no action was taken against him.
Husain's work shows the balance between the artist's cubist modern style of painting and Indian traditional sensibility and subject matter.
His work usually incorporated many of the artist's most recognisable themes and symbols, traditional forms of ancient Indian miniatures, sculptures, dance and folk art in one frame.
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