Iqbal X Bulls, Cricket and Childhood Dreams by MF Husain

In this artwork, M. F. Husain places the young boy and his sister on the backs of bulls, turning the rural scene into a stage of courage and imagination. The boy holds a cricket bat with pride, as if ready to strike, while his sister clings beside him, sharing the ride of both struggle and dream. The bulls, painted in bold earthy tones, are not only animals of the village but also symbols of strength, labour, and resilience that carry the weight of rural life.

The composition is lit by a radiant yellow sky, a backdrop that floods the scene with energy and hope. The contrast of dark brown and black against this brightness gives the figures a sense of being lifted beyond their modest reality. At the side, the cricket stumps remind us that even within ordinary spaces, the dream of the game persists.

This painting celebrates a childhood bond of brother and sister enjoying the carefree days in rural India, where cricket, family, and imagination come together to keep hope alive.