Swaminomics: ‘Gram Yatra’ sold for 118 crores, Hussain’s painting great success for Indian art

New Delhi: The art market in India is growing rapidly. The interest of people living in the country and abroad about Indian art is increasing and they are buying beautiful petting showing Indian art for crores of rupees. Recently, MF Hussain’s petting has broken all the records of sales. Hussain’s petting is being seen as a great success of Indian art. Hussain’s monumental painting ‘Gram Yatra’ broke the current records of Indian art in Christian auction in Christians last week. The petting sold for Rs 118.7 crore ($ 13.75 million). Christies had estimated its reasonable price at $ 2.5–3.5 million. But the bidder described it as very little. This auction has set a new record in the Indian art market. Also, it has highlighted the complex relations between art and politics.

This is a major achievement in the world of Indian art. Earlier, Amrita was the most expensive painting ‘The Story Taylor’ of Sher-Gill. She was sold for $ 7.4 million. At number three was SH Raza’s ‘Kalistay’, sold for $ 5.6 million. However, these prices are still low compared to Western artists. Leonardo The Vinci’s ‘Salvatar Mundi’ is the most expensive painting. It was sold for $ 450 million. At number two is Picasso’s ‘Less Fames D’Aller’, sold for $ 179 million. At number three is the Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani’s ‘New Count’, sold for $ 170 million.

Art market bounce like stock market

In the art market, like the stock market, there is a category of emerging market. Both China and India have EMs in the markets. However, like financial markets, China is also ahead in the art market. A set of screen of Chinese painter Q Baishi sold for $ 140 million. It is the sixth most expensive painting in the world. Many other paintings in China are also sold for less than $ 100 million. When a country is poor, art buyers are low and prices are low. As the country becomes moderate income, the number of rich people increases. Many of them start buying art.

‘The country moves towards high income, the number of art buyers increases’

A significant turn comes when art dealers explain to the rich that art is a good financial investment. This attracts financial buyers. They are not much interested in art, but they seek new ways of investment. As the country moves towards high income, the number of art buyers increases rapidly and the market increases. It took place in China two decades ago and is now starting in India. The value of the painting is less than its quality and more than its deficiency. This is why ‘The Vinci’ painting sold for $ 450 million. Hardly anyone else came to the market of The Vinci. Most paintings in private collections are also not displayed in homes. They are placed in air conditioned, high security storage. They do not appear because they are considered financial assets, not the object of beauty.

‘Paintings are more visible in warehouses nowadays’

The paintings of India’s Progressive Artists Group (PAG) are more visible in warehouses nowadays. It has become difficult to find early arts. The group had artists like MF Hussain, SH Raza, Tayyab Mehta and Akbar Padmasi. Hussain was the most painting artist in Indian history. In contrast, the output of Vasudev Gaitonde and Ganesh Pine was very low. Therefore, art dealers have long described their art as an excellent investment. The shortage is sold.

Why was MF Hussain in the discussion?

The government tells about many achievements, but does not tell about Indian art being covered globally. One reason for this is that the Wing Wing accused MF Hussain of hurting the sentiments of Hindus by portraying Hindu deities naked. he/she ignored the fact that for thousands of years, the deities have been shown semi-folded in the Hindu sculpture. There are clear sculptures of sexual activities in the temples of Khajuraho, Konark and Puri. Tantric art has long been shown divine sex. Worshiping erotic tantric paintings and sculptures have been selling in global auctions for decades, but no one protested.

‘This is an art scam’

But Hussain was a Muslim. It is impossible that a similar Hindu painter would be persecuted with criminal cases and threats to kill them. Because of this, he/she had to go abroad for security. he/she spent his/her final year as Qatiri citizens. This is an art scam on which India should be ashamed. But not all Hindus are communal. Kiran Nadar was the famous collector Kiran Nadar who won the bid of Hussain’s painting for $ 13.8 million last week.

4 Muslims out of top 10 painters

In fact, 4 of the top 10 painters of India are Muslims according to the price – Hussain, Raza, Tayyab Mehta and Akbar Padmasi. FN Suja was Christian. Jahangir Sabawala was a Parsi. Manjit Bawa was a Sikh. Amrita was a Sikh’s father Sikh and mother was a Jewish-Hungerian. The top 10 consists of only two Hindus, Gaitonde and Raja Ravi Verma. According to Hindutva, at least half of India’s top painters were considered as ‘invasions’, even though they and their ancestors were born in India. Fortunately, Kiran Nadar is creating a set of art museums where the religion of painters will be irrelevant. Indian art is increasing, but not Indian politics.

‘This incident is between art, politics and society …’

The record -breaking auction of MF Hussain’s painting ‘Gram Yatra’ has added a new chapter to the Indian art market. The event reflects the complex relations between art, politics and society. On one hand, it reflects the increasing popularity and value of Indian art. On the other hand, it also highlights the problem of religious fanaticism and intolerance towards artists.