THE INDIAN MASTERS

Ganesha by M F Husain, Oil on Canvas

If you think, you've seen them all, then hold your breath for this long list.

M F Husain, S H Raza, Satish Gujral, Jogen Choudhary, Arpana Caur, Laxma Gaud, Manu Parekh lead the list of 20 artists whose work will soon be gracing our shores.

Expect 70 art pieces in all with prices starting from $3,000. If the paintings are over your budget there will be prints and lithos on offer too. Complementing the paintings will be the sculptures.

If you are looking to invest, here go the numbers. Since 1991, the contemporary Indian art market has grown 25 times to its current value of US $1.2 billion.

There was a time when $1,000 was enough to get a painting by an Indian master. These days consider yourself lucky if you see anything that even starts there. With hammers gonging at a million bucks and more, Indian art is truly hotter than ever before. And it isn't just hype. With requests ranging from 'Can we buy it per square foot?' to 'Can it go any higher?' art market watchers predict the exponential growth will continue.

Part of the charm of Indian art is the sheer range of styles. Figurative, abstract, a blend of the East and the West rendered through an Indian brush stroke - you name it and chances are you will find it.

If you haven't been drawn into the richness of Indian art, one good place to get started would be The Arts House at 1 Old Parliament Lane in Singapore. The exhibition will open on April 27th and run till April 29th.

I'm not going to miss it, neither should you.