Bonhams latest sale of Indian and Islamic Art made a total of £2,042,908 - a result driven by hugely enthusiastic bidding for modern and contemporary Indian and Pakistani paintings. `Red Landscape' by Francis Newton Souza (India 1924-2002) made £106,400 against a pre-sale estimate of £25,000 to £30,000. In fact seven of his pictures dominated the top ten places in the sale with the lowest result being £66,000 `Lady with a Veil' which had a pre-sale estimate of £25,000 to £30,000.

The only other three pictures to make it at this level were: Jagdish Swaminathan (India 1928-1993) `Mountain and Bird' which made £81,600 (estimate £40,000 to £60,000); by Abdur Rahman Chughtai, 'Guarded Beauty' £66,000 (estimate £40,000 to £60,000); and Maqbol Fida Husain, whose picture Bird made £60,000 (estimate £50,000 - £70,000). Lot 247 was a world record price for Chughtai.

The sale result builds on the bullish prices being paid for works of Modern and Contemporary Indian and Pakistani artists both in London and New York by members of the South Asian community living abroad.

QUAKE VICTIMS BENEFIT FROM £36,400 CHARITY AUCTION

The sale was preceded by the auction of 12 paintings contributed by artists and collectors from Britain's Asian community who wished to offer aid to the victims of the Pakistan earthquake disaster.

Within hours of the earthquake disaster, Pakistani-born art collector, based in Britain, Kamran Anwar, co-ordinated the gift of 12 important paintings for auction. The paintings raised £36,400 which will be donated to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society charity and the President of Pakistani's Relief Fund. Bonhams sold the paintings on a not for profit basis.

Mr Anwar, a London based banker, said: "As a Pakistani, it becomes a personal responsibility to do whatever one can in the hour of need of our fellow countrymen who have suffered a tragedy unimaginable to us. This is a tragedy that transcends national boundaries and differences. It is very heart-warming to see the response of the artists and art enthusiasts who reacted within hours. I would like to thank Bonhams who embraced the idea wholeheartedly."

PAINTING MADE IN 24 HOURS COMES TO MARKET

A painting by Krishen Khanna, painted by him in the past 24 hours in direct response to the disaster, which was part of the charity sale, was the top lot at £9,500 (estimate £6,000 - £8,000).

The ten paintings generously donated were:

1. Jamil Naqsh (Pakistan, b 1939) Water Color on paper. Personally donated by Najmi Sura and Jamil Naqsh.

2. M.F Husain (India, b. 1919) Limited Edition Print "Theorama. Series-Islam" signed by the artist. Donated by Kiki Siddiqi.

3. Lance Ribiero (India, b. 1933) "Compositional Landscape" acrylic on paper signed and dated by the artist (1992)- 2 paintings. Personally donated by Lance Ribiero.

4. Paresh Maity (India, b. 1965). Donated by Parish Maity and Kiki Siddiqi.

5. A painting by Krishen Khanna, painted by him in the past 24 hours in direct response to the disaster, will also be part of the sale. The artist said: "What can one say in the face of such horrendous calamities which are striking one after another in rapid succession. It is a hard way to realize our common human destiny, but it is happening - and the way people are not only expressing their concern but are coming together to actively help their stricken brethren, offers a ray of hope."

6. Mussarath Mirza (Pakistan, b. 1946) Quest for Enlightenment, oil on canvas. Donated Anonymously.

7. Hajra Mansur (Pakistan, b.1964), watercolour on paper. Donated anonymously.

8. Mansur Aye (Pakistan, b. 1939) Acrylic on Paper signed and dated 1998. Donated by Sasheen and Shehzad Anwar.

9. Mansur Aye (Pakistan, b. 1939). Acrylic on Paper signed and dated 1998. Donated by Juvaria and Anwarullah Khan.

10. Mansur Rahi (Pakistan,) Charcoal on paper. Anonymous donor.

11. Jamil Naqsh, Woman and Pegeon, oil on canvas. Signed and dated 04 in London. Donated by Farida Rafiuddin for the All Pakistan’s Women’s Association (APWA)