Untitled 1990

M.F. Husain made this untitled painting with bold strokes of blue and grey oil paint. I can imagine Husain-saheb moving around the canvas, adding layer upon layer, building up a sense of depth and rhythm, as figures emerge. There's a trio of musicians here, each rendered in an elemental way, like they are almost geometric. What might Husain have been thinking when he laid down these lines? The almost monochromatic palette is so striking. The blues feel deep and resonant, like a raga played late at night, while the greys offer a cool contrast. The way the figures are outlined, and the way the musical instrument seems to slice through the middle of the image, creates a push-pull, a rhythmic tension that keeps the eye moving. Husain’s work shares a raw energy that reminds me of folk traditions, yet it’s also deeply modern, inviting endless possibilities. I love how artists keep talking to each other through their paintings across the ages!