Souza's 'Hanuman' Fetches Record Rs 15.6 Crore

F. N. Souza's 1965 artwork, "Hanuman the Monkey God," fetched an impressive Rs 15.6 crore at Saffronart's Autumn Auction, setting a new global record for the artist's works on paper. This rare piece, influenced by Souza's collaboration with Mohan Sharma, was a highlight of a highly successful modern Indian art sale.

Saffronart announced a "white glove" season, achieving a remarkable 100% sell-through rate and a combined total of Rs 250.6 crore from its live and online auctions. The "Hanuman" painting, a gouache on paper estimated at Rs 1.5-2.5 crore, features a unique figure with an elongated face and multiple eyes.

Other significant sales included Mahadev Visvanath Dhurandhar's "Shri Mahalakshmi" for Rs 14.1 crore and A. Ramachandran's "Kurma Avatar" for Rs 8.6 crore. Saffronart CEO Dinesh Vazirani expressed delight with the results, noting multiple new artist records and continued collector confidence in Indian art.

Vazirani stated that these strong results extend through 2026 and reflect sustained confidence in Indian art. Saffronart remains committed to bringing exceptional works to global collectors and fostering market growth. The auction also featured notable sales from artists like G. Ravinder Reddy and Sohan Qadri.