In ‘(untitled) Gram Yatra’, the role of the rural worker takes centre stage, capturing a society in transition. The presence of agrarian figures, particularly a farmer depicted as a literal foundation for the land, speaks to the deep interdependence between people and place. “One of my favorite vignettes is the standing farmer,” Avari noted. “The farmer is the core element of Indian society, and here he is shown holding up the land—physically and metaphorically.” Women are also integral to Husain’s composition, depicted in roles of labour and caregiving that reflect themes of resilience and sustenance.
Ahead of the auction in New York, ‘(untitled) Gram Yatra’ made a brief return to India, where it was displayed in Delhi for a pre-sale exhibition. The event marked a rare opportunity for audiences to engage with Husain’s vision in person, drawing widespread interest from scholars, collectors and the public alike. “Every time you look at this painting, you find a new story or new meaning in one of the vignettes,” Avari observed. “It’s a fantastic work, and it deserves to be in an institutional collection where more people can see it and gain a better understanding of the artist through it.”
With its record-breaking sale, ‘(untitled) Gram Yatra’ reaffirms the growing global appreciation for South Asian art. And for those who enjoy trivia, this isn’t the first time an M. F. Husain painting has broken records at this Christie’s sale. In early 2008, his ‘Battle of Ganga and Jamuna: Mahabharata 12’, a large diptych from the Hindu epic, fetched $1.6 million, setting a world record at the very same South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art sale. As collectors and institutions increasingly look to India’s modernists as key figures in the broader history of 20th-century art, Husain’s ‘(untitled) Gram Yatra’ stands as both a rediscovered treasure and a reminder of the movement’s lasting influence.
Also read:
At Rajiv Menon Contemporary in Los Angeles, South Asian artists transform into main characters
11 new art shows in India we’re excited about this March
Meet the South Asian movers and shakers dominating London right now
