He wanted to come back… but people didnt accept him

A masterpiece by Maqbool Fida Husain hangs on the wall behind her.

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A masterpiece by Maqbool Fida Husain hangs on the wall behind her. Zubeida Sharfi,the renowned painters only sister and his closest among all the siblings,is inconsolable as she recollects that her elder brother was fond of her cooking be it simple chai and roti or khatta gawar sabzi. He was a star for the outside world,but for me he was my caring elder brother. He would often talk about his struggles. He missed India and wanted to come back a wish that remains unfulfilled, she sobs.

Her house located on the old National Highway-8 here wears a deserted look,with only some women relatives consoling her. Zubeida,who lives with her daughter-in-law and grand daughter,rues that it will not be possible for her to attend Husains funeral in London. Husain stayed with her in 2004,the last time he visited the city to attend a marriage.

He stayed here for four days. He loved whatever I cooked and told my daughter-in-law Shahina that her recipes dont taste like mine. He had discarded footwear as he was an ardent follower of Islam and wanted to experience the same difficulties that our Prophet had faced, she says. He used to enjoy poetry; we used to have all-night sessions of sher-o-shayari, she adds.

Its a difficult moment for me and the rest of the family. Though he wanted to come back to India,he could not do so due to the controversies surrounding him. Whenever we spoke over the phone he would talk about India. Its unfortunate that people here did not accept him, Zubeida says.

Husain was the eldest of five brothers (Shafaqt Fida Husain,Inayat Fida Husain,Ali Fida Husain,Ehsaan Fida Husain) and one sister. His brother Shafaqt recollects that while in Vadodara,Husain would visit Wadi and Sursagar. He loved tea at Sursagar and non-vegetarian food at Wadi. For us,he was our eldest brother. He seldom discussed his professional issues with us, he says.