Fri Dec 05 10:49:07 UTC 2025: Qatar Inaugurates Museum Dedicated to Indian Artist M.F. Husain, Forced into Exile
Doha, Qatar – Qatar has opened the Lawh Wa Qalam museum in Doha, dedicated to the life and work of Maqbool Fida Husain, the renowned Indian artist often called “India’s Picasso.” Husain, celebrated globally for his modern art, was driven into exile by Hindu nationalist groups in the 1990s due to controversies surrounding his depictions of Hindu deities.
The museum, located in Doha’s Education City, houses a collection of Husain’s works, including his final pieces commissioned by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, along with photographs, films, and poetry. A highlight is the “Arab Civilisation” series, featuring pieces like “The Battle of Badr,” which blends calligraphy with modern artistic styles.
Husain’s exile began after his artwork sparked outrage among Hindu nationalist groups, leading to legal challenges and threats that forced him to leave India in 2006. Despite India’s Supreme Court eventually quashing the cases against him, Husain did not return, fearing for his safety. He accepted Qatari citizenship in 2010 and lived in Doha and London until his death in 2011.
The museum not only celebrates Husain’s artistic genius but also serves as a reminder of the challenges to freedom of expression in India. Art historians have noted that Husain’s persecution was a loss to the secular ideals he represented and a sign of increasing intolerance in India.
The Lawh Wa Qalam Museum is designed to reflect the diverse influences in Husain’s work. The museum aims to become a center for art education and appreciation within Qatar Foundation’s Education City, which already hosts several international universities and a collection of public art installations.
Despite the circumstances surrounding his exile, Husain remained dedicated to his art until his death. The Lawh Wa Qalam museum now offers a permanent home for his legacy and invites visitors to explore the art of a modern master.
First Piper 