MF Husain had a weakness for aloo puri and jalebis

MF Husain’s paintings might sell for several crores, but the man had simple tastes, especially in food. Art patron Urmila Kanoria, founder of Kanoria Centre for Arts whose foundation stone was laid by Husain, recalls how the renowned artist had a weakness for aloo puri and jalebis.

“He was an easy man. He’d tell me, “I like your aloo puri and jalebi. I don’t like what they serve in these five-star hotels,” remembers Kanoria.

Once when she caught up with him in London, Kanoria laughingly ribbed him about staying in one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. Husain, who was a guest of industrialist LN Mittal at the time, instantly commented that it made little difference to him whether he stayed in a five-star or one-star hotel.