M. F. Husain, one of India's most iconic and beloved artists, passed away in a London hospital on June 9th, 2011. He was 95 years old. Often referred to as "Master of the Moderns," Husain earned recognition as a pioneering contemporary artist and a leader in modern Indian art. His pioneering work incorporated Indian cultural elements with a modern, abstract style. His iconic canvases were celebrated for the vivid colors, powerful movements, and political themes that evoked dramatic narratives. He was born Maqbool Fida Husain in 1915 in Pandharpur, a small town in Maharashtra, India, and developed his love of painting at a young age. Hussein later received formal recognition as an artist when he co-founded the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group. After settling in Delhi in the mid-1950s, he attained recognition for his work--and notoriety from a series depicting Hindu goddesses in the nude. He held numerous art exhibits worldwide, including at the Freers Gallery in Washington, DC and the Royal Institute of British Architects in London. He was also the recipient of multiple awards, including India's second highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan. Husain was renowned for innovative works of art that spanned the spectrum of Indian culture. In 2007, his painting of Mahatma Gandhi sold for Rs. 1.5 crore, making it the highest amount ever paid for a Husain painting. Throughout his career, Husain continued to push the boundaries of Indian art and remain a beloved icon. He will be remembered with admiration and respect for generations to come.