M.F. Husain, Hanuman - Hanuman in Jungle, n.d. Serigraph on paper, 24h x 18w in.
Aicon Contemporary is pleased to present Husain’s Hanuman, a ten-serigraph collection by modernist master M.F. Husain. In this series, Husain animates Indian mythology in a distinctive blend of color and abstraction. This series, inspired by Husain’s childhood memories of witnessing Hanuman's theatrical entrance with the mountain and Sanjeevani booti, captures the essence of Hanuman’s adventures, rendered with vibrant and dynamic forms.
As the Hindu god of strength, loyalty, and devotion, legendary tales of Hanuman have transcended generations. In his youth, born of a nymph and the wind god, Hanuman attempted to seize the Sun, mistaking it for a fruit. This innocent act set in motion a series of divine interventions. First, struck by Indra’s thunderbolt, he was marked with a name that embodies his mythic essence. Later, Hanuman’s powers were obscured by a curse, only to be restored when his devotion was most needed. Recalled to his abilities, he led the monkeys to assist Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, in rescuing Sita from the demon Ravana, achieving feats such as crossing the strait to Lanka in one mighty leap and burning down the city with his ignited tail.
In Husain’s Hanuman, Husain delves into these seminal exploits, depicting the god’s defining traits of bravery and loyalty. The series also reflects Hanuman’s central place in devotional practice across India. Represented as a red-faced monkey, Hanuman is worshipped in temples dedicated to Rama and stands as a symbol of unwavering dedication. In his drawings, Husain includes throngs of monkeys who remain unharmed in these sacred spaces.
Accompanying the series is a lithographed text by renowned Mexican poet and Nobel laureate Octavio Paz, whose words reflect on the thematic resonance of this portrayal of Hanuman and describe the universality of myth:
“Hanuman contemplates the garden of Ravana like a page of calligraphy… like the shadows of two lovers projected by the fire on a wall / like the stains of monsoon rains on a ruined palace of the abandoned town… like a metaphor of the embrace of bodies.”
Husain’s Hanuman offers a unique fusion of personal memory and spiritual narrative, bringing to life the timeless vitality of Hanuman. This beautiful collection of prints showcase a unique expression of storytelling and artistry.