In Indian art history, which famous painter is popularly known as the Barefoot Painter due to his habit of painting without wearing footwear?

Introduction / Context:
Questions on Indian art and artists are a regular feature in many competitive exams. Certain artists are associated with distinctive styles, themes or even personal habits that become part of their popular image. This question refers to the nickname Barefoot Painter and asks you to identify the artist commonly known by this title. Knowing such associations helps you answer art and culture questions quickly and confidently.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The nickname given is Barefoot Painter.- The options list several important Indian painters from different periods.- We assume awareness of the public image and style of modern Indian painters.

Concept / Approach:
M F Husain, a leading figure in modern Indian art, was widely known for moving about barefoot in public, including at exhibitions and events. This personal habit led the media and the public to refer to him as the Barefoot Painter. He was also recognised for his bold lines, dynamic compositions and frequent use of horses and other strong motifs in his paintings. The other options, while very important in Indian art history, are not associated with this specific nickname. Therefore, the correct answer is M F Husain.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall the personal image of M F Husain, including his habit of going barefoot.2. Identify that this habit became so well known that he earned the popular title Barefoot Painter.3. Compare the other artists: Raja Ravi Varma is noted for realistic mythological paintings, Jamini Roy for folk inspired styles, Amrita Sher Gil for modernist figurative work and Abanindranath Tagore for Bengal School paintings.4. Recognise that none of these other artists are popularly known as Barefoot Painter.5. Choose M F Husain as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Biographical articles and media reports on M F Husain often refer to him as the Barefoot Painter. They mention that he walked barefoot as a personal choice as well as a symbolic gesture reflecting simplicity and connection with the common people. Checking such sources confirms that this nickname is specifically linked with him and not with the other painters listed in the options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Raja Ravi Varma: famous for combining European realism with Indian themes, but not linked with the Barefoot Painter nickname.- Amrita Sher Gil: an important modernist artist, known for her expressive portraits and rural scenes, without this particular title.- Jamini Roy: celebrated for his folk inspired style based on Kalighat paintings, but not identified as the Barefoot Painter.- Abanindranath Tagore: founder of the Bengal School of Art, again with no such popular nickname.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may mix up modern Indian painters and forget which nickname belongs to whom, especially when questioned under exam pressure. Others may guess based on who seems more traditional or more modern without recalling any specific fact. To avoid this, try to associate a few key terms with each major artist. For example, link M F Husain with modernism, horses, controversy and the Barefoot Painter tag. Linking Jamini Roy with folk styles and Raja Ravi Varma with mythological realism will also strengthen your recall for related questions.

Final Answer:
The painter popularly known as the Barefoot Painter is M F Husain.