MF Hussain a legend is no more.

In his early adulthood Maqbool Fida Hussain saw the world plunge into evil with two world wars and the bloody partition of India, but unlike many of his friends and contemporaries he survived these evils and even outlived the repressive political system he had once believed to be an inescapable destiny for his nation. Disagreeing with his peers, he believed that art was possible even after the horrible partition and going beyond the tradition of art and charity one could forge a new path. With this in mind he formed the Progressive Artists Group in Bombay, blending disparate ethnic and mythological theories, celebrating India’s triumphs and weeping over its tragedies. A maverick and an enigma all rolled into one, he did not hesitate to push the envelope and explore the boundaries of art. He remained the quintessential man about town comfortable with a Ferrari, Hermes, or unshod feet. His last ambitious painting
was based on the Hindu epic “Ramayana”. He had a deep understanding and knowledge of religion including the way of life in Hinduism, its philosophy and texts. His indomitable spirit and self belief were so strong, that even when Hindu fundamentalists alleged that he denigrated their goddesses by painting them nude, he never protested or tried to rationalize his work. He renounced his Indian citizenship and went for a self imposed exile and became a citizen of Qatar. Not bound by routine or tradition like the wild spirit of the horses he used to paint, he valued his freedom and his mystique will endure forever. Unshackled at last from petty mortal and their religious bigotry, he can now paint from a larger canvas his studio in the skies. Modern religious ire notwithstanding, his passing underlines the eternal truth of human transience