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When MF Husain celebrated his birthday in exile

Maqbool Fida Husain, India's grand old man of art, passed away in London on Thursday morning.

Husain spent the last years of his colourful life in exile, forced out of his country by right-wing forces who took offence at some of his paintings.

On September 17, 2009, Husain had celebrated his 94th birthday in New York City. Rediff.com's Paresh Gandhi had captured some memorable moments of the event. Here is a flashback 

Internationally acclaimed artist Maqbool Fida Husain, who has been living in self-exile for the past three years due to threats from Hindu fundamentalists for his work, turned 94 on September 17.

Husain, who dresses flamboyantly and has a penchant for high-end cars like Ferrari but roams around barefoot, celebrated his birthday in New York City where he is currently on tour.

When MF Husain celebrated his birthday in exile

He is in New York now. He keeps travelling. I don't know of his plans to come back to India," Husain's son Shamshad, who spent a month with his father in London recently, said.

When MF Husain celebrated his birthday in exile

Husain currently divides his time between Dubai and London. This is Husain's third birthday in exile after his paintings on Hindu goddesses courted controversy in 1996.

Husain was part of a group of young artists led by FN Souza who wished to break away from the nationalist traditions established by the Bengal school of art and encourage an Indian avant-garde movement.