Page 9 - M F Husain The Eternal Master

just a toddler. He would later seek to fill the void created
by this longing through his art. His historic series of works
depicting the iconic figure of Mother Teresa is a testament to
Husain’s ability to infuse profound emotions into his work.
After the loss of his mother, Husain’s grandfather, a

tinsmith who repaired oil lamps, played a pivotal role in his
upbringing. Husain’s affectionate portrayal of his grandfather
as an old man, often accompanied by lamp and umbrella
motifs, also became recurring themes in his work.
Husain’s upbringing in Pandharpur was imbued

with a rich mix of culture. As a young boy, he went to
watch Muharram processions, where for the first time,
he encountered the replicas of Bada Duldul and Chhota
Duldul, the legendary horses of Hazrat Ali and Imam Husain.
These horses would become vital motifs in his paintings,

symbolising grace, valour, and more. When his father secured
a job at a textile mill in Indore, the family moved and a young
Husain continued to reside there till 1936. His time in Indore
had a crucial impact on his understanding of Indian culture.
These formative years in Indore coincided with a fascinating
period in Indian history. The British had firmly established

their dominance in India, and the Indian royalty now lived
in a delicate balance between retaining their traditions and
adopting British customs to appease their colonial rulers.
The young artist witnessed this cultural confluence. This

dichotomy created a captivating spectacle, which Husain
would later encapsulate in his “Raj Series” in the mid-1980s.
Indore, during the Holkar rule, also emerged as a hub
of Indian classical music, and Husain often frequented music
performances. Dhrupad, an abstract form of classical Indian
music, particularly moved him. His deep sensitivity to music

would later find expression in his art. It was also during this
period that he was drawn to the world of horses, through
File photo: Bombay Progressive Artists’ Group
visits with his grandfather to a farrier, who specialised in
fixing iron shoes on horse hooves. This experience would

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