Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, inaugurated the Lawh Wa Qalam: M.F. Husain Museum on November 27, 2025, at Education City in Doha, marking the opening of the world’s first institution dedicated to the life and work of Indian modernist master Maqbool Fida Husain. The 32,300-square-foot facility, realized from a 2008 sketch by Husain himself, fulfills the artist’s vision and opens to the public on November 28, 2025.
Architectural Vision and Design
Delhi-based architect Martand Khosla translated Husain’s cobalt-blue sketch into a striking structure featuring two main volumes—a blue house and a grey house—linked by a cylindrical staircase and amphitheater-like seating. Etched with Arabic calligraphy, the building spans over 3,000 square meters and integrates as an artwork reflecting Husain’s experimental spirit across media. Sheikha Moza toured the galleries post-inauguration, highlighting the museum’s role in connecting cultures, histories, and identities through Husain’s legacy.
Collection and Highlights
The museum houses more than 150 works, including paintings, films, textiles, photographs, and personal items, many displayed publicly for the first time. Galleries trace Husain’s journey from formative years to themes of faith, philosophy, cultural diversity, and his Yemeni roots, featuring 35 paintings inspired by Arab civilization commissioned by Sheikha Moza. Key pieces include the 1950 Doll’s Wedding, portraits of figures like Mother Teresa and Jawaharlal Nehru, and his final posthumous multimedia installation Seeroo fi al ardh, now a dedicated hall.
Cultural and Educational Facilities
Facilities encompass a library, creativity corner, gift shop, cafe, and auditorium for lectures and events, promoting cross-cultural dialogue and inspiration. Open Saturday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and closed Mondays and holidays, it offers guided tours in Arabic and English, with audio tours planned for 2026. The event drew dignitaries, ministers, and international art experts, including Indian artists like Subodh Gupta and Riyas Komu, underscoring Qatar’s commitment to public art in Education City.
Husain’s Legacy in Context
Born in 1915 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, Husain, a founding member of the Progressive Artists’ Group, produced over 40,000 works before his 2011 death in London, having accepted Qatari citizenship in 2010 amid self-imposed exile from India. The museum frames him as a global figure bridging South Asia and the Arab world, with exhibits like Battle of Badr and Yemen from his Qatar series. Attendees noted it as a victory for artists transcending national boundaries.
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
