The story of acclaimed painter Maqbool Fida Hussain, written in Malayalam by an Indian journalist, has now been translated into Arabic and English in the UAE.
The Department of Culture and Information of the Sharjah Government published the translated version of the book - originally written in Malayalam by E M Ashraf, the Middle East director of News and Programmes at Malayalam television channel Kairali TV.
The department distributed 3,000 copies of the book in various Arab countries along with the last issue of its monthly magazine Arrafid, said Omar Abdul Aziz, the chief editor of the magazine.
"We are glad about publishing this book on M F Hussain. He was a great artist, the Picasso of India," Aziz was quoted as saying by the Khaleej Times.
The book, which also has some paintings and photographs of the artist, is a tribute to Hussain, who passed away three years ago.
In his last interview six months prior to his death, Hussain had opened his heart to Ashraf.
"The 'barefoot painter' shared his wish to end his life in exile and return to his homeland. He longed to get drenched in the rain and walk barefoot on Mumbai's soil," he said.
Ashraf's book in Malayalam "Njan Ennum Hindustani" (I will always be an Indian) was published by D C Books in March, 2011.
"No single artist popularised Indian art - within the country or internationally - as Hussain did," Ashraf said.
