In 1963, the famous American abstract painter Morris Graves saw Gaitonde’s works during his trip to India and was very impressed.

He immediately sent a letter, external Dan and Marian Johnson of the Willard Gallery in New York describe him as “one of the best” painters they have ever seen.

“He is as good – or as great – as Mark Rothko at his best, and one of these days he will be a world-renowned painter,” Graves wrote.

“He is an abstract painter with something indescribably beautiful and pure. These are the most beautiful landscapes of mind and light.”

In 1964, Gaitonde moved to New York after receiving the Rockefeller Fellowship. The next two years were a formative phase of the young artist’s career as he had the chance to meet and see the works of American modern artists and further develop his style.

In 1971, Gaitonde received India’s fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, for his outstanding contribution to the arts.

However, despite his increasing fame, he became increasingly withdrawn in the following years.

His student and famous artist Laxman Shreshtha describes in Naik’s book how MF Husain often tried to visit Gaitonde at his home in Delhi.

“If Gaitonde didn’t want to meet anyone, he wouldn’t have opened the door, even for Hüseyin, who drew something on the door and left. This was Hüseyin’s way of saying ‘I stopped by’.”