Auction Highlights
AstaGuru’s Masters Legacy, Scheduled for March 10-11, 2026 features over 70 lots by pioneers like M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, F.N. Souza, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Krishen Khanna, Nandalal Bose, and sculptors such as Ramkinkar Baij and Himmat Shah, tracing Indian modernism from nationalist revivalism to bold abstraction. Standouts include Lot 49: Husain’s Untitled (Horses) (c. 1990, acrylic on canvas, est. ₹1.5-2 crore), with its fiery reds and jagged forms evoking tension and drive. Raza’s Kundalini (Lot 35) pulses with bindu symbolism and vibrant hues symbolizing spiritual awakening, while Bhattacharjee’s Untitled triptych (Lot 27, 1998, oil on canvas) captures dreamlike Bengal desolation through women and children on a balcony.
Curator Insights
Manoj Mansukhani, AstaGuru‘s Director of Marketing, emphasizes the masters auction’s curation: “It traces the arc of Indian art from early twentieth-century nationalist revivalism to Progressive experimentation and contemplative abstractions, embodying innovation and rigour.” He highlights quality, rarity, and provenance, offering collectors historically pivotal pieces that enrich Modern Indian art’s canon.
Broader Context
Extending the narrative into the late twentieth century and beyond, Masters Legacy also spotlights important works by practitioners such as Prabhakar Kolte, Akkitham Narayanan, and Shail Choyal. Their works underscore the enduring impact of modernist thought while articulating fresh formal and conceptual concerns. The auction also includes sculptural works by important artists, including Ramkinkar Baij, Somnath Hore, Himmat Shah. Three paper works by artist V S Gaitonde are also featured in the upcoming auction.
Cover image: M F Husain | Untitled (Horses)
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
