The recent auction in Mumbai — on January 17th, 2013 of M.F.Husain’s works by Pundole’s — was nothing less than extraordinary. It was the first of its kind devoted solely to works by the modernist Indian painter anywhere in the world. The horde of 145 lots amassed over the years by the late Badrivishal Pitti, an art lover and collector from Hyderabad — his family had close ties with the Nizam — realised a whopping Rs. 18.5 crores, according to Dadiba Pundole, the auctioneer, well over the total pre-sale estimate of Rs 8.8 crores, with only four lots left unsold in the end. A spectacular result, as auctions go.

Read More: The Husain Conundrum