ONE of India’s leading modern artists, Tyeb Mehta’s works took inspiration from his own life and sufferings. The 84-year-old painter, who died of heart ailment in Mumbai on Thursday, was the first Indian artist to have set a benchmark when his work Mahisasura, a rendering of the buffalo-demon of Hindu mythology, was sold for $1.58 million at a Christie’ auction in 2005. It was the first time a modern Indian painting crossed the million-dollar mark.

He also created history when Celebration, a room-size triptych sold in 2002 for $300,000

“From his early images of trussed bulls, to the rickshaw puller, to the diagonal series to his depictions of Kali and Mahisasaura, all will constantly remain in the visual memory of Indian art,” Osians founder Neville Tuli said.

Born in Gujarat and based in Mumbai, Mehta began his career with the J J School of Art and was associated with the Progressive Artists group comprising S H Raza, F N Souza and M F Husain among others.

Mehta and associates Krishen Khanna, Akbar Padamsee and Ram Kumar was inspired by European masters and interpreted Indian themes.

“One reason why his works commanded so much was because he was not very prolific. He was very cautious about what he painted,” said Dinesh Vazirani, owner of online auction house Saffronart, through which his canvas on acrylic Rickshaw puller was sold for Rs 4.8 crore in December 2006.

In May 2005, his 1997 painting of Hindu goddess Kali with a gouged mouth was sold for Rs 1 crore at a Saffronart’s online auction.

“He was a man and painter of integrity, and expressed his artistic vision with quiet dignity and originality. He was dearly loved and respected by all the art fraternity, and has left his evident mark on the history of Indian modern art,” said Tuli.

Mehta’s 1968 painting Falling Figure attracted a winning bid of Rs 3.45 crore at the Osian’s auction in the national capital in 2006.

“Tyeb was a great friend and an amazing host. He was the kind who would extend his hand of friendship to younger artists,” said Vadhera, who owns the Vadhera art gallery in the capital.

“Mehta was very critical of his works and often severe. He used to say the riyaz is for home and when the paintings are up for public consumption it has to be the very best,” said Vadhera and recounted that the painter would destroy several canvas before presenting his final work.

The gallery plans to go ahead with a scheduled retrospective of the late painter’s works in November. “We always thought he would be with us when we did this exhibition. I had spoken to him a week ago and his death is a loss to the entire art world.”

Apart from paintings Mehta has done sculptures and also made a film Koodal about the common man, which won the Filmfare Critics Award in 1970.