Maqbool Fida Husain

(1915-2011)

Ganesh Darbar

Footnotes

Provenance
Property from a private collection, London.
Acquired from the artist.

"...another favourite animal figure of Husain is the elephant with its myriad associations for the pre-globalised ordinary Indian. In the Indian mythology Airavat, the four-tusked white elephant that emerged from the churning of the ocean, is the mount of the Rain God Indra. The elephant is also a symbol of prosperity because of its association with goddess Laxmi. There are other mythological associations of the elephant, such as with Ashwatthama of Mahabharata and with Ganesha. In the Indian classical literature the elephant also stands for sensuous grace. That is why in the Sanskrit literature, a beautiful woman is described as gajagamini, the one who walks with the sensuous gait of an elephant. Finally, right from the ancient times up to the end of the twentieth century, the elephant was a ceremonial mount for the Royals of India..."

The elephant's association with Ganesha is a part of the religious belief of the Hindus.' (K. Bikram Singh, Maqbool Fida Husain, Rahul & Art, 2008, pg. 192)

Untitled (Ganesh Darbar) is a vivid and striking painting that seamlessly weaves together the artist's distinctive modernist aesthetic with deeply rooted Indian cultural and religious symbolism. In this piece, Husain places Lord Ganesha, the beloved elephant-headed god, at the centre of the composition, surrounded by two additional representations of Ganesha and three elephants. This arrangement reflects the multi-dimensional nature of the deity, who is revered not only as the remover of obstacles but also as a symbol of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings. The painting is a vibrant celebration of Indian spirituality and tradition, seen through the lens of Husain's dynamic, abstract style.

At the heart of Untitled (Ganesh Darbar) is Ganesha, whose iconic figure dominates the composition. Husain portrays the deity with a fluid, almost gestural quality, using broad, sweeping brushstrokes to evoke Ganesha's elephantine features. The central Ganesha appears powerful yet approachable, an embodiment of divine energy and wisdom. His posture and placement exude a sense of calm authority, while the vibrant colours—deep reds and oranges surround him, radiating a sense of life and celebration. The two other Ganesha figures, slightly smaller in scale, mirror the central figure but add to the painting's sense of repetition and rhythm. Their presence suggests the multiplicity of Ganesha's aspects and roles in Hindu mythology, where he is often depicted in various forms and manifestations.

The inclusion of three elephants around the central figures further amplifies the symbolism of strength, wisdom, and power. In Hindu tradition, elephants are revered for their association with majesty and calm strength, qualities that Ganesha, as the elephant-headed god, embodies. Husain's depiction of the elephants is characteristically bold and abstract, with their forms reduced to essential shapes and lines, yet still recognisable. These elephants, placed towards the bottom on either side of Ganesha, reinforce the sense of balance and stability within the composition, grounding the painting in an almost sacred symmetry. They also echo the central deity's own elephantine form, creating a visual dialogue between the divine and the earthly, the mythological and the real.

Husain's use of colour and form in Untitled (Ganesh Darbar) is key to the painting's emotional and spiritual impact. The halo that surrounds Ganesha—in gold, conveys a sense of reverence. The oranges and reds that feature heavily on the canvas, are often associated with Hindu rituals and festivals, and create a festive atmosphere, suggesting that this is not just a static portrayal of Ganesha but a dynamic darbar, or court, where divine presence is celebrated and honoured. The rich, textured layers of paint reflect Husain's modernist approach, where the interplay between abstraction and figurative elements becomes a vital part of the visual narrative. The painting is not constrained by realism but instead allows for a more expressive, emotional portrayal of its subject.

Untitled (Ganesh Darbar) also reflects Husain's broader approach to religious and mythological subjects throughout his career. Known for his deep engagement with Indian culture, Husain often turned to themes from Hindu mythology, despite his own Muslim background, demonstrating his belief in the universal nature of spiritual and cultural symbols. In this painting, Husain does not simply depict Ganesha as a religious icon; rather, he reinterprets the deity through his modernist vision, blending traditional iconography with his unique artistic style. The result is a work that feels both ancient and contemporary, deeply rooted in Indian tradition yet open to global, modernist interpretations.

To see a similar work sold in these rooms see Bonhams, Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art, 14th November 2023, lot 6.