M F Husain painted the mural in 1963 after winning a competition. He was paid Rs 1,000 for the work MUMBAI: Pablo Picasso famously said that “art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,” but at the Yogakshema Building at Nariman Point, which houses the headquarters of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a wall mural painted by M F Husain appears to be doing the opposite, quietly accumulating dust as visitors and employees offer only fleeting glances while passing through the metal detector at the security screening area.The mural, depicting a female musician, is located on the wall directly opposite the security checking area in the lobby of the building’s east wing. It shows visible signs of deterioration, including cracks, tearing and layers of settled dust. Ongoing renovation work, including plastering and the erection of scaffolding, has been carried out close to the artwork, placing it at further risk of damage. Though a metal detector stands next to the mural, there is no name plaque to inform the thousands who pass through the entrance about the value and heritage of the work.Painted in 1963, the mural was created after Husain won a competition organised by LIC to adorn the lobby of its then newly inaugurated headquarters. Husain was paid Rs 1,000 for the commission.Brinda Miller of the Kala Ghoda Arts Association said such neglect was not unusual. “A mosaic mural by Jatin Das was similarly destroyed in a government building years ago. In contrast, another Husain mural inside a restaurant at the Cricket Club of India stands beautifully preserved,” she said, adding that wall art in India is often undervalued.Conservation architect Vikas Dilawari said the issue extended across institutions. He cited neglect of a K K Hebbar mural at Nair Hospital and noted that Husain painted directly onto the marble wall, requiring protection during construction.Raisa, the artist’s daughter, called the situation a “tragedy”. When contacted, LIC executive director Pradeep Shenoy said he was unaware of the mural’s value and would look into providing protectionAbout the AuthorMahiyar PatelMahiyar Rohinton Patel is a reporter with The Times of India, Mumbai. He covers K-12 schools and a wide range of education-related topics.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosH-1B Visa Delays: MEA Says India Has Flagged Issue With USIndia Flags H-1B Visa Delays With US As Indians Face Backlogs Scrutiny And Policy UncertaintyPM Modi Praises Gen Z Confidence, Sees Them Leading Viksit Bharat”People Who Are…” MEA Responds To Viral Mallya And Modi “Biggest Fugitive” VideoRed Line From New Delhi: India Calls Out Yunus Govt As Minority Attacks In Bangladesh EscalateMyanmar Heads to Polls After Five Years as Rights Groups Slam Military-Run Process’Can You Elect A Non-Muslim?’ Indian Student Dismantles Pakistan On Minority Rights, DemocracySix Shots On AMU Campus Kill Teacher As CCTV Shows Killers Firing Into His Head After He Fell DownPutin Called Pakistan A Junta With Nukes As Bush Feared Nuclear Leaks To Iran, Reveal TranscriptsTwo Indians Killed In Canada Within A Few Days, Families Raise Question On Safety Of Students Abroad123PhotostoriesFrom saving more money to better health: 4 powerful ways AI can help you succeed in life in 2026Salman Khan birthday special: Best family moments5 Indian beaches that are perfect for quiet, unhurried vacationsTop 5 important lessons to teach your kids in 2026; something that school never teaches them5 fashion experiments of 2025 that were imaginative, structural, and deliciously bizarre5 ‘food from the future’ that already part of restaurant menus now5 forbidden places on Earth and what happens if a tourist tries to visit themAnkita Lokhande’s most stylish saree looks: From red bandhani to purple chiffon5 types of demons as per mythologyand what do they signifyAhead of ‘Jana Nayagan’ audio launch: Revisiting Thalapathy Vijay’s most ICONIC audio launch moments123Hot PicksUAE WeatherPAN-Aadhaar linkingAmrit MondalGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundIndian Railways fareBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingFrank Lampard and Christine Lampard Net WorthJordan Spieth Net WorthElliotte FriedmanKhamzat ChimaevTravis KelceAaron RodgersPatrick MahomesTua Tagovailoa WifeLaMelo BallMax Verstappen Girlfriend
MUMBAI: Pablo Picasso famously said that “art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,” but at the Yogakshema Building at Nariman Point, which houses the headquarters of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a wall mural painted by M F Husain appears to be doing the opposite, quietly accumulating dust as visitors and employees offer only fleeting glances while passing through the metal detector at the security screening area.The mural, depicting a female musician, is located on the wall directly opposite the security checking area in the lobby of the building’s east wing. It shows visible signs of deterioration, including cracks, tearing and layers of settled dust. Ongoing renovation work, including plastering and the erection of scaffolding, has been carried out close to the artwork, placing it at further risk of damage. Though a metal detector stands next to the mural, there is no name plaque to inform the thousands who pass through the entrance about the value and heritage of the work.Painted in 1963, the mural was created after Husain won a competition organised by LIC to adorn the lobby of its then newly inaugurated headquarters. Husain was paid Rs 1,000 for the commission.Brinda Miller of the Kala Ghoda Arts Association said such neglect was not unusual. “A mosaic mural by Jatin Das was similarly destroyed in a government building years ago. In contrast, another Husain mural inside a restaurant at the Cricket Club of India stands beautifully preserved,” she said, adding that wall art in India is often undervalued.Conservation architect Vikas Dilawari said the issue extended across institutions. He cited neglect of a K K Hebbar mural at Nair Hospital and noted that Husain painted directly onto the marble wall, requiring protection during construction.Raisa, the artist’s daughter, called the situation a “tragedy”. When contacted, LIC executive director Pradeep Shenoy said he was unaware of the mural’s value and would look into providing protection
