Barefoot artist Maqbool Fida Husain, commonly known as M F Husain died at the age of 95 on 9th June 2011 at London due to heart attack and was buried on 10th June. He was unwell for several months. He was also known as “Picasso of India”. It’s a national loss to the country.
His loss was not only to the art world, but also to Bollywood. Of the ones who shared a rather special bond with the painter as his muses include actors Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Tabu, Amrita Rao, Anushka Sharma and latest Vidya Balan. Hot model Poonam Pandey hoped to be one of them. She mourns the death of MF Husain last week in London and said she always wanted to be painted by Husain, just like his many beautiful female muses. Denver based actress Madhuri, who was shocked to learn about the painter’s sad demise said “It’s such a shocking news. I still can’t believe that a person who was always so full of life is no more. God bless his soul.” Back home, Vidya too confesses to being shocked by the news. “What a celebration of life, colour and glory. Having said that, however long a life, for an artist as great as him, it still seems short. May his soul rest in peace,” said Vidya. She was one of the Bollywood actresses that awed the great artist. He had also expressed his desire to paint a nude picture of Vidya. It was the first time that Husain had made such a request to his muses. A source informs that though the gorgeous Vidya is thrilled with the idea but yet to give her consent. Incidentally, the artist was also planning to make a film with another of his favourite actor Amrita Rao, who also happened to spend a vacation with the artist at his London home recently. “I am totally in shock. He simply loved life. Each time that we have chatted off late I have been telling him that he’s growing younger and more energetic. In fact he even shared his plans to host a rather big show to exhibit all his works on Indian cinema to celebrate him turning 100. He was so full of life that I can still not believe that he’s no more.” said the actress. “The news is shocking. It is yet to sink in. Just two days back I was discussing him with a friend. He was a great filmmaker who made films which he believed in and financed it himself. He was a special person and a genuine artist.” said director Anurag Kashyap. Actor Raghubir Yadav, who starred in Meenaxi said, “It is sad that an artist of such a stature is no longer among us. Working with him was a learning experience. He was peaceful by nature and an open-minded person.” Expressing grief, actor Shabana Azmi said that Husain was a close friend and a wonderful human being. “He was a prolific painter. He is someone who is born once in 100 years. I last met him through a video-conference. He was deeply moved when we told him we will try to bring him back to India. He missed India.” Lyricist Javed Akhtar termed Husain as one of the greatest artists in and outside India. “I think many people realise the importance of artists in this country because of him. His contribution to Indian art has been totally unprecedented.” “Very sad to hear of the passing of M F Husain saab. A wonderful person and a great artist. May his soul rest in peace,” actor Abhishek Bachchan said. Madhur Bhandarkar said, “Sad to hear renowned legendary artist M F Husain passes away.” Filmmaker Pritish Nandy said, “Few people had that zest for living as Husain. My walls are full of his notes and drawings left in my office when I wasn’t there.”
Some of the celebrities who tweeted their messages through Twitter:
Dev Anand: Very sad to hear that the great M F Husain is no more.
Shekhar Kapur: M F Husain who seemed ageless, painting till his last days leaves us with one of India’s greatest legacy of art.
Vishal Dadlani: Apologies for the lack of understanding your home country showed you. There was nothing vulgar about Husain’s work. Pity that some illiterate people who saw his stuff had dirty minds.
Kunal Kapoor: Deeply saddened by the news about Husain saab. He was not only a great artist but an incredible human being. His passion and love for life was contagious and unparalleled. May his soul rest in peace.
Ranvir Shorey: M F Husain, son, lover and nemesis of India.
Celina Jaitely: My God what a tragic loss..Husain saab is no more..I met him last in Dubai at the emirates towers some months ago….just cannot believe it.
Sophie Choudhry: M F Husain May ur soul RIP far away from the insanities of this oft cruel world & may the sky become ur new canvas.Thank you for your beautiful art.
Rahul Bose: Husain passes away. We hang our heads partly in grief and partly in shame for not being able to let him spend his last days in this country.
Neha Dhupia: The end of yet another genius, M F Husain.
Taslima Nasreen: M.F.Husain could not spend his last days in his motherland! Cry, the beloved country. Cry.
Shashi Tharoor: Deeply saddened by passing of M F Husain. Giant of Indian artand wonderful personality, creative till his last breath at 95. A great loss for India.
Mahesh Bhupathi: M F Hussain.. Errrie. We spoke a lot about him at dinner last night and the paintings he gifted Leander and me in ’99.
Atul Kasbekar: I hope Husain saab can b allowed to finally rest in his homeland. Will miss you sir. U have been a tremendous source of energy n inspiration.
Pooja Bedi: I’m deeply saddened that one of India’s greatest artists M F Husain died & even more saddened fanaticism kept him away from India till death.
