Important Notice

The present lot is one of a series of works by M F Husain that was inspired by the Mahabharata. The Hindu epic follows the fight for dominion over Madhyadesha (North India) between two related clans- the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The war between the cousins leads to an intricate and widespread renegotiation of relationships throughout the kingdoms. Although Mahabharata is expansive with a marked interest in the relational, Husain... The present lot is one of a series of works by M F Husain that was inspired by the Mahabharata. The Hindu epic follows the fight for dominion over Madhyadesha (North India) between two related clans- the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The war between the cousins leads to an intricate and widespread renegotiation of relationships throughout the kingdoms. Although Mahabharata is expansive with a marked interest in the relational, Husain is more focused on the internal turmoil produced within man by the dramatic turns of the epic. According to art historian Dr Daniel Herwitz, “Husain is concerned to understand and depict the Mahabharata as a psychological drama. It is not that he ignores the social dimension to the drama; he does not project conflict as basic to the social fabric of the world. It is rather that he is primarily interested in portraying the intense conflict within people.” (Dr Daniel Herwitz, Husain, Tata Press, Mumbai, 1988, p. 25)

This work, titled Pandav, alludes to one of the Mahabharata’s most well-known events, the dice game between the Kauravas and Pandavas which leads to the disrobing of Draupadi. A hand, required to roll the dice, figures prominently, drawn in Husain’s distinctive bold lines. Against the hand is a Pachisi board, on which the ancient Indian dice game is played. Blue Devnagari letters which make up the word “Pandava” seemingly float around these two elements against a background of vivid red. Together, they speak of a moment in the narrative which produces astounding pressure on the principals of the story-the Pandavas-as the eldest son Yudhishthira loses everything to his name to the Kauravas, along with his wife which leads to her public disrobing. Husain’s choice of this pivotal moment is an example of his keen interest in the human drama that lies at the heart of the story. In Dr Herwitz’s words, “For Gandhi and Husain psychological conflict is a basic cosmic principle because internal struggle is a defining feature of human life. In this sense the outside forces generating the plot of the Mahabharata are taken as metaphors of interior battles within people.” (Herwitz, p. 25)

Read More
Artist Profile
Other works of this artist in: this auction  |  entire site