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Lot No :

HUSAIN`S EXTREMELY RARE SIGNED LIMITED FOLIO EDITION AUTOBIOGRAPHY: HUSAIN KI KAHANI APNI ZUBANI


Estimate: Rs 2,00,000-Rs 3,00,000 ( $3,080-$4,620 )


HUSAIN KI KAHANI APNI ZUBANI, a folio sized leather bound book originally hand written by Husain IN URDU was published in 2010 by Archer Art gallery, Ahmadabad and printed in highest standards of lithography, uncut printed on special deluxe handmade paper. All drawings in the book have been engraved in lithography, similar to the limited editions of great artists published in the finest styles of printing in the west.

SIGNED and limited edition of 250 copies of which this is number 148..br.
The book was published to celebrate Husain's 95th birthday and was only meant for his family and friends.

184 page book containing 88 drawings with deckled edged paper and decorated original boards.

Size 20 x 13.5 x 2 in.

THE barefoot artist, M.F. Husain, wrote his autobiography in Urdu. Titled M.F. Husain ki Kahani Apni Zubani, it is said to be inspired by Ghalib's couplets:

By quoting the second couplet, Husain seems to allude to his passion for walking barefoot. His works show him to be inspired by the past, and he ever so easily walked from the present into the past, from where he embarked on a journey to pre-historic ages. The harsh realities of the present were not lost to him.

Despite the fame he gained as an artist, and the transformation into M.F. Husain from Maqbool Fida Husain, he did not allow the young Maqbool to disappear. As described in the autobiography, the boy Maqbool goes on reminding him of the early years spent in poverty.

M. F. Husain ki Kahani delves deep into Husain's imagination; there are instances where he talks about Imam Hussain's horse Duldul as well as Buraq which carried the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) to the skies. There are references to the mythological horse of Ramchandrji Ashomidh. In these reminiscences the young Maqbool interrupts the narrative to remind Husain not to forget Achhan Mian, the horseshoe maker, and Kalloo Mian, the tonga walla who helped develop his fascination for horses.

Husain's mother died when he was just a year and a half and his grandfather, Abdul, filled that role. At the time of his death, Abdul handed Husain a 10 rupee note which played a significant part in his life.

Husain never forgot the first sale he made. At a street corner in Indore, a stranger appeared from nowhere and paid him 10 rupees for the painting he was working on. This was how he started off as a painter. The money reminded him of the 10 rupee note given to him by his dying grandfather.

Husain also narrates his dramatic meeting with Madhuri Dixit at an award function in 1994. Though a stranger to her status as an award-winning actress, he became deeply entranced by her persona.

The autobiography summarises how a boy born in Pandharpur went to Indore and grew up to become Maqbool, the painter. Bombay conferred on him the title of M.F. Husain, the artist, while in Delhi he was awarded the Padma Bhushan.

During his wanderings from city to city and country to country, Husain met a host of people. Whenever he was asked about them, his reply was, "If I try to enumerate them, it will give the impression of name dropping. I can only say:

Husain's prose style is praiseworthy. The best example of this distinct style is when Husain writes:

"The age of M.F. Husain has not yet come to an end. In fact, he is in the midst of three periods, the period of love and beauty, the period of art and film, the period of worldly worries, gham-i-rozgar....Husain is awake with colours on his canvas and his devotion to the apsaras of Bollywood. He has already touched the feet of deities sitting in Ajanta and Ellora. He has been wondering all these years in the bazaars of beauty. But he is not a merchant of beauty. He is there as a distributor of beauty. But don't forget the Maqbool of yesteryears, who kept standing in the line for two hours to purchase a two anna cinema ticket. This is not a film script. This is a scene from real life, the life story of Maqbool not known to the people. They only know 'M.F. Husain' as he now is." - Article from "M.F. Husain: The Life Story", Dawn, June 18, 2011.

This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images.

The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectible, dating from the 19th century on wards. The technology and material for printing and binding books has evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books has also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or water stains.

The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Storyltd shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.