M.F. Hussain's love affair with a Kolkata dhaba

There is a dhaba on Ballygunj Circular Road called the Azad Hind Dhaba.

One day in 1999, the famous painter M.F. Hussain landed up there and ordered a tandoori roti and a cup of tea. He must have liked the fare for he was soon a regular at this dhaba. Thereafter, it is said, as soon as Hussain landed in Kolkata, his first call was at the dhaba.

One day in 1996, Hussain started spontaneously sketching on the dhaba wall and a year later, a black and white sketch entitled "Gaja Gamini" was ready. Three years later, colour was added to it.

The owners of the dhaba responded by naming a chicken dish after Hussain. If you ever visit this dhaba, be sure to order the Chicken Hussaini.

What is the value of this sketch? It is anybody's guess. Like "The Last Supper", this sketch has been made on a wall and there is no way of removing it, framing it etc.

A video of the sketch is at http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/158730/husains-kolkata-connect-the-azad-hind-dhaba.html