<p>"I miss India tremendously. But I can’t go back because of the many cases against me," Hussain told PTI at a function in Dubai Modern High School where he was chief guest.<br />The odds may be against him but there's no stopping the "Barefoot Artist", who was wearing pink nail paint.<br /><br />"I still paint a lot and I am busy with my works on Indian civilisation," the 94-year-old artist said.<br /><br />Hussain surprised everyone at the function by painting a dove, instead of his trademark horses, when he was invited to "speak" to the schoolchildren through his art.<br />As Hussain’s dove spread its wings and soared over a bright orange sun and the sky dazzled with the shades of the tricolour, it was clear that the Picasso of India was talking peace.<br /><br />In less than 15 minutes, Husain had completed another piece, with children guessing if it was a falcon or a flying horse that was soaring higher and higher.<br /><br />"I have painted a dove. It is a symbol of peace," he said, setting aside the children's suggestions. The project was special for Hussain and the children, because it was a joint venture. <br /><br />Hussain encouraged the children to complete the painting. A couple of artistically inclined children added stars, flowers or simply their signatures and became part of the masterpiece.<br /><br /> Dressed in a chocolate brown pathan suit and matching socks, Hussain looked frail and had to be helped down the school's walkway. His hand was a little shaky but the lines were as steady as ever.<br /><br /> He obliged students by giving his autograph even as the school's management and his grandson-in-law, who accompanied him to the function, worried about his health.<br />"He yearns to be back in India. He misses India a lot," Hussain’s grandson-in-law said. The artist, who divides time between London and Dubai, has been on a self-imposed exile since several cases were filed against him for his depiction of Indian goddesses some years ago.<br /><br />In 2006, Hussain was is in the firing line of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Vishwa Hindu Parishad over his painting "Bharath Mata," which had a nude woman's outline resembling the map of India.<br /><br />That Hussain misses India is no secret. Some time ago he asked a friend, who was visiting him in Dubai, to pack tea from his favourite stall in Ahmedabad.<br /></p>
<p>"I miss India tremendously. But I can’t go back because of the many cases against me," Hussain told PTI at a function in Dubai Modern High School where he was chief guest.<br />The odds may be against him but there's no stopping the "Barefoot Artist", who was wearing pink nail paint.<br /><br />"I still paint a lot and I am busy with my works on Indian civilisation," the 94-year-old artist said.<br /><br />Hussain surprised everyone at the function by painting a dove, instead of his trademark horses, when he was invited to "speak" to the schoolchildren through his art.<br />As Hussain’s dove spread its wings and soared over a bright orange sun and the sky dazzled with the shades of the tricolour, it was clear that the Picasso of India was talking peace.<br /><br />In less than 15 minutes, Husain had completed another piece, with children guessing if it was a falcon or a flying horse that was soaring higher and higher.<br /><br />"I have painted a dove. It is a symbol of peace," he said, setting aside the children's suggestions. The project was special for Hussain and the children, because it was a joint venture. <br /><br />Hussain encouraged the children to complete the painting. A couple of artistically inclined children added stars, flowers or simply their signatures and became part of the masterpiece.<br /><br /> Dressed in a chocolate brown pathan suit and matching socks, Hussain looked frail and had to be helped down the school's walkway. His hand was a little shaky but the lines were as steady as ever.<br /><br /> He obliged students by giving his autograph even as the school's management and his grandson-in-law, who accompanied him to the function, worried about his health.<br />"He yearns to be back in India. He misses India a lot," Hussain’s grandson-in-law said. The artist, who divides time between London and Dubai, has been on a self-imposed exile since several cases were filed against him for his depiction of Indian goddesses some years ago.<br /><br />In 2006, Hussain was is in the firing line of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Vishwa Hindu Parishad over his painting "Bharath Mata," which had a nude woman's outline resembling the map of India.<br /><br />That Hussain misses India is no secret. Some time ago he asked a friend, who was visiting him in Dubai, to pack tea from his favourite stall in Ahmedabad.<br /></p>
