Mumbai: The Indian arts movement received a major boost with an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) purchasing 22 paintings of eminent artist M F Hussain for a whopping $ 1 million.

"This was a very good news, not only for me but the entire Indian artists community and movement of Indian arts," the 88-year-old Hussain said after he got the news.

Although recognition for the Indian paintings came very late, it took almost 40 years to get this kind of recognition, it is a great news for the coming new year, he said.

Asked about the identity of the NRI, Hussain said, "He is from London and does not want to be quoted."

At a time when the Indian paintings are rated low in the international market, this news sounds great and I hope the trend of recognising Indian art continues, he said.

The 22 paintings are set of small colourful paintings, painted at Mumbai, Delhi and Paris in the months of June and July.

Reacting to the news, his family members said, "We are feeling great but we liked those paintings, they were lovely."

A group of eight artists tried to give a new look to Indian paintings about 50 years back but it took so many years for such recognition, Hussain added.