Indian artist Khakhar’s paintings fetch Rs 1 cr in New Zealand

Melbourne, October 7

India's modern artist Bhupen Khakhar's two rare paintings, found at an Auckland basement, went under hammer at an auction in New Zealand, fetching over Rs 1 crore by a compatriot, media reported today.

Auction house Cordy's put the distinctive works by Khakhar last night after they were found in an Auckland basement. Both the paintings have been sold for 119,595 New Zealand dollars (Rs 51,44,565) each.

The paintings depicting a red elephant and the interior of a Hindu house were bought by a local Indian man present at the auction.

It was fantastic that the paintings were snapped up by a local, especially as there were determined bidders from the US, London, India and the UAE, auctioneer Andrew Grigg was quoted as saying by New Zealand Herald.

“He was very pleased, and very pleased to be able to keep them together as well," Grigg said. He said the auction had received "unprecedented interest".

“There was a room full of people, so I think a lot had come to see what was going to happen. I spoke to the family member who was sort of looking after it on behalf of the family. She was ecstatic," Grigg said.

The buyer of the Khakhar paintings also bought three other paintings by the late artist Roy Dalgarno. It was in Dalgarno's Parnell basement where Khakhar's works were found.

Bord in 1934 in Mumbai, Khakhar was a leading artist in Indian contemporary art. He worked in Baroda and gained international recognition for his work. He died in 2003. — PTI