**Indian Art Breaks Boundaries with Record Auction of Rediscovered MF Husain Masterpiece**

The sale not only eclipses previous records but also highlights Husain's influential legacy and significance in modern South Asian artistry.

A long-lost masterpiece by esteemed Indian painter MF Husain, recently rediscovered, has made history by breaking auction records. The oil-on-canvas piece, titled Untitled (Gram Yatra), captivated collectors and art enthusiasts alike, fetching an astonishing $13.8 million (£10.6 million) at a Christie's auction held in New York last week. This remarkable sum shatters the former record for Indian art, previously held by Amrita Sher-Gil's The Story Teller, which sold for $7.4 million (£5.7 million) in 2023.

MF Husain, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 95, is celebrated as a trailblazer of Indian modernism, inspiring generations of artists in the country. His legacy, however, was clouded by controversy; in 2006, he was driven out of India due to death threats from Hindu extremists over some of his depictions of religious figures.

For nearly fifty years, the groundbreaking painting went unnoticed, quietly hanging in a Norwegian hospital. Crafted in 1954, Gram Yatra is a massive 14-foot-wide mural depicting life in Indian villages through 13 vibrant vignettes. The artwork intricately weaves together traditional Indian folk elements with modernist influences, reminiscent of the narrative tradition found in miniature paintings.

Utilizing bold colors and an earthy palette, Husain depicts women engaged in daily activities, such as preparing meals and tending to children. One striking scene features a farmer extending his arm toward fertile land, echoing the agricultural roots that define Indian identity. As Nishad Avari, head of South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art at Christie's, articulated, "If you're looking for a single artwork that defines modern South Asian art, this is it."

The painting reflects Husain's inspirations gathered from travels abroad, especially from his 1952 visit to China, which introduced him to various artistic styles. Post-independence, he turned his gaze not toward the West, but toward India's villages, embodying Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy about the essential role of rural life in the nation’s fabric.

Husain’s biographer, Akhilesh, emphasized the artist's profound connection to India's cultural heritage and contemporary life, stating that his work significantly transformed the national identity. Even more striking is the journey of Gram Yatra itself, which began in Delhi before being purchased in 1954 for a mere $295 by Ukrainian doctor Leon Elias Volodarsky. The painting remained virtually forgotten for decades in Norway's Oslo University Hospital until Christie's took interest in it in 2013, two years after Husain's death.

Ashish Anand, from the Delhi Art Gallery, posits that such a remarkable sale will not only enhance the value of Husain’s works but also shift perceptions towards Indian art as not merely aesthetic icons but also serious financial investments. As global interest in Indian art surges, this landmark auction exemplifies the potential and wealth embedded within the country’s artistic heritage.