Ode to M F Hussain

Lean, wiry frame

Shock of wavy salt'n'pepper

Draped in Indian Khadi!

He sat beneath the tree

Sketching....

We giggly girls surrounded

This maestro..

Disarming smile, few words

This bare-footed guru

Pierced my soul with his eyes

So much so I mourn

For this creative genius

But I mourn more

For the Intellectually blind Indians 

Who exiled him!!!!

PS: I had the great fortune of meeting( very briefly and suddenly) this genius at Drive In Woodlands( now converted into Semmozhi Poonga),several years ago. It was a time when he swore to walk barefoot thro'out India. Seeing him at my usual hang out was exciting and memorable.. I can never ever forget his penetrating gaze...