Renowned artist M.F. Husain, who died in London on Thursday, had a special relationship with this southern city. Not only did he relish his stays here, Cinema Ghar, an unconventional museum, which he established, remains an exquisite testimony to his two loves, art and cinema.
Husain called himself the son-in-law of Hyderabad, as his in-laws hailed from the city. Hyderabad was his adopted city, and he relished his stay here, never missing its delicious Irani chai (tea) and the famous Osmania biscuits.
With the death of Husain, a pall of gloom descended on Cinema Ghar, which be built here in 1999.
The artistic creation on Road No. 12 in the posh Banjara Hills neighbourhood is a tribute to Indian cinema and houses Husain's paintings, art works of various contemporary Indian artists and books on arts and films.
Cinema Ghar, which would be abuzz with activity during Husain's visits to the city, has remained closed ever since he was forced to leave India in 2006 after his paintings of Hindu goddesses in the nude triggered attacks on his works.
According to the security guard at the building, Husain's relatives have not visited the place for many months.
It was at Cinema Ghar that the celebrated artist would have exhibitions of his works and also shot his film ‘Gajagamini’, starring Madhuri Dixit.
The place depicts the history of the Indian cinema from the silent era of Dadasaheb Phalke to the dazzle of Madhuri Dixit and Tabu, the actresses who fascinated Husain the most.
The architecture of Cinema Ghar, which was built on the land bought by Hussain four decades ago, is in tune with his taste of art. The building itself has the painter's trade mark sketches cut out on it.
Unlike many buildings in Banjara Hills, which came up after blasting rocks, Cinema Ghar retained the rocks in the premises. A 'buggy' (horse cart) and a vintage car is all a visitor can see now as the building's doors have remained closed for last few years.
As Husain himself had said, Cinema Ghar was his tribute to Indian cinema and an effort to promote art and films and to celebrate life on canvas and silver screen.
Husain's down-to-earth persona was on full display during his visits to the city.
He would walk into Irani hotels to sip his favourite Irani chai. The hotel owners refused to accept money from him and instead would request for his autograph or sketch. A smiling Husain always obliged.