Thirst of a Minstrel: The Life and Times of Ganesh Pyne

Ganesh Pyne is the subject of a raging controversy: is he really a recluse who shuns the media, avoids the opening of his own exhibitions and withholds his paintings from international auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s? Or is he just impossibly arrogant? His detractors find his art out of sync with reality. Yet, the world regards him as one of the greatest painters of the day, and his works, coveted by celebrities, sell at astronomical prices. Sifting the truth from hype and mere concoction, Shiladitya Sarkar explores the mysteries behind the myth, the art behind the legend. And what he comes up with is an intriguing modern-day fairytale, featuring an artist who rose from rags and anonymity to riches and fame, but continues to spurn the crown he has earned through a lifetime of tribulations.