Iqbal I Bull Play by MF Husain

In this painting from Husain’s Iqbal series, the vitality of childhood fills the canvas. A brother and sister play around a sturdy bull, their bodies full of movement and curiosity. The boy holds onto the animal with youthful determination, while the girl tumbles mid-air, as if weightless in a moment of carefree abandon. Rather than fear, the scene suggests the natural leaps of childhood, where every fall is part of the game and every risk a step in growing.

The palette heightens this playfulness. Golden yellow spreads across the canvas like sunlight over a village field, while cool blue balances it with calm. The children’s white garments shine brightly, simple and pure, making them the heart of the picture.

Husain captures an episode of play along with the spirit of resilience and imagination that defines childhood. The bull becomes a symbol of strength and challenge, yet also of companionship, while the children embody the joy of daring, discovering, and laughing through the ups and downs of life.