1980 Tamil Film Banner In Mount Road. Chennai. India. 12.15.2004. Culture Of The Street. Photographed By Mf Husain.

In the 1980s, Maqbool Fida Husain, armed with a 35 mm SLR camera, roamed the streets of Madras (now Chennai), a bustling urban metropolis not unlike Mumbai—a city synonymous with the manufacture of dreams. Here, amidst the chaos and charm of the city, Husain captured a vivid tapestry of life in a portfolio titled Culture of the Street. Comprising 20 unique photographs, this body of work reveals Husain's perspective on the tension between ancient traditions and the search for modern identity. His use of foiled photo paper imbues the images with a surreal gloss, echoing the escapism offered by commercial cinema, where the common man could momentarily transcend the grime and monotony of city life.Born in 1915, Husain was a towering figure in Indian art and a founding member of the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group. Over a prolific career spanning six decades, he explored a wide range of themes—from female nudes and Mother Teresa to depictions of the Ramayana and the contrasting landscapes of rural and urban India. Influenced by Cubism, Husain brought a modernist lens to Indian subjects, blending tradition with innovation. As a secular Muslim, his often irreverent portrayals of Hindu culture stirred controversy, yet his artistic vision remained unyielding.Husain's artistic journey began in Bombay, where he painted billboards for Bollywood films—a medium that undoubtedly shaped his dramatic, vibrant style. Though primarily celebrated as a painter, Husain also ventured into photography and filmmaking, extending his creative repertoire. His works have been exhibited globally and are housed in prestigious collections, including the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Revered for his versatility, Husain's legacy endures, with his art commanding six- and seven-figure sums at auctions worldwide.