MUMBAI.- The latest edition of AstaGuru’s ‘Collectors Choice’ Modern Indian Art auction will present bidders with an extraordinary opportunity to acquire masterpieces and rare compositions from different periods of Modern Indian Art. Bidding for all the artworks will commence at INR 20,000. The auction is scheduled for March 29-30, 2023.

Commenting on the auction, Sunny Chandiramani, Vice President- Client Relations, AstaGuru, said, “AstaGuru’s ‘Collectors Choice’ segment has quickly developed into one of the most anticipated auctions in our annual auction calendar, with each sale receiving an overwhelming response from collectors. The format has allowed us to present a broader perspective of Indian modernism by offering works across varied price points. The auction offers several rare gems stretching the gamut of Indian modernism in a range of mediums, including sculptures from leading artists, including Himmat Shah, Prodosh Das Gupta and P V Janakiram, among others.

The auction will present several works by modern master M.F. Husain. Credited for putting modern Indian art on the world platform, M. F Husain created thousands of works, which remained anchored to his roots.

With five works in different mediums, the auction showcases the multifaceted genius of M.F. Husain. Lot no. 183 is an untitled still life work. Executed in 1993 with acrylic on canvas, it will be offered with an estimate of INR 60,00,000 – 80,00,000. Lot no 30. Is an untitled woodcut work which was also showcased at Husain Ki Sarai in Faridabad, Haryana. Executed in 1992 with acrylic on wood, it is estimated to be sold at INR 20,00,000 – 25,00,000.

Lot no. 22 and 23 offer an outstanding opportunity to acquire a unique set of works by India’s revered old master M.V Dhurandhar. Each of the lots is a set of five watercolour paintings, which capture the beauty and majesty of the Indian countryside. Each of these lots will be offered with an estimate of INR 5,00,000 – 6,00,000.

Appearing in an auction for the first time, lot no. 196, is an untitled oil work signature style work by artist J Swaminathan. The oil on canvas creation will be offered with an estimate of INR 40,00,000 – 60,00,000.

Lot no. 118 is a creation by senior artist Krishen Khanna, a member of the famed Progressive Artists’ Group founded in Mumbai in 1947. The large-scale monochromatic work spanning seven feet titled

‘Combat in Forest ' is appearing in an auction for the first time. Executed with acrylic and charcoal on canvas, it depicts a faunal fight between these two majestic animals – an elephant and a tiger. Employing techniques of smudging and erasing, the artist showcases his deft control over charcoal in this compelling monochromatic piece. It will be offered with an estimate of INR 40,00,000 – 50,00,000. The auction will showcase five more works by the artist.

The auction will also present several other important works executed in the medium of charcoal.

An untitled work by Manjit Bawa, lot no. 83, was executed in 2000 and has been a part of several important exhibitions and publications, including ‘Let's Paint the Sky Red: Manjit Bawa' by Vadehra art gallery in 2011. This work is offered at an estimate of INR 35,00,000 – 45,00,000. Lot no. 14 is a two-sided work by Amrita Sher-Gil, one of the most important figures of Modern Indian Art. A national art treasure, this work will be offered at an estimate of INR 15,00,000 – 20,00,000.

The auction will present several creations by artist F.N. Souza. Lot no. 90, a vivid work titled ‘Still Life With Skull,’ was executed with acrylic on canvas in 1984. It is offered with an estimate of INR 20,00,000 – 30,00,000. Another unique still life by the artist, lot no. 166 is offered at an estimate of INR 20,00,000 – 25,00,000. It was executed with acrylic on canvas board in 1974. The work was showcased in an exhibition titled 'Picasso Souza’ at Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, also published in the accompanying book. Lot no. 169 is another enthralling work dominated by a hue of bright red. Executed with acrylic on paper in 1994, it is offered with an estimate of INR 5,00,000 – 7,00,000. Lot no. 190 is an acrylic on canvas painting Souza created in 1986. It is estimated to be acquired at INR 20,00,000 – 25,00,000.

Lot no. 151 is a nude work by senior artist Anjolie Ela Menon. The oil on canvas creation was executed in 1980 and will be offered with an estimate of INR 30,00,000 – 40,00,000.

A signature style Bindu work by artist S.H. Raza, lot no. 91, titled ‘Holi,’ is also an important piece in the selection. Appearing in an auction for the first time, the work was executed with acrylic on canvas in 2014. It is offered with an estimate of INR 20,00,000 – 30,00,000.

The collection of around 200 lots in the upcoming auction traces different periods of Modern Indian Art with exceptional creations by revered names such as Nicholas Roerich, Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, S H Raza, Jehangir Sabavala, Akbar Padamsee, K H Ara, Arpana Caur, Sakti Burman, K K Hebbar, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Ganesh Pyne, Krishen Khanna, Jogen Chowdhury, and Manu Parekh, amongst several other eminent artists.