London: Maqbool Fida Husain, India's artist in exile, says he will return home as soon as he has finished his current series of paintings.

Husain was forced to flee the country by extremists protesting his nude depiction of Hindu goddesses.

"India is my home. As soon as my current work is done, I'll return," the painter said. "Is anybody stopping me?" added Husain, who at 93 continues to be Indian art's best-known enfant terrible.

Husain said the paintings that he is currently working on are on the theme of "Indian civilisation".

In a move laden with symbolism, Husain made a rare public appearance on Monday at the opening of an exhibition of prints by Raja Ravi Varma - the 19th century Indian painter known primarily for his depiction of Hindu women.