Doha Unveils World’s First Museum Dedicated to Indian Art Icon M. F. Husain

Doha has inaugurated the Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum, a landmark cultural institution and the first museum in the world dedicated solely to the artistic legacy of Maqbool Fida Husain, one of the most celebrated modernists of the Indian subcontinent.

Located in Qatar Foundation’s Education City, the museum officially opened in late November 2025 and marks a major moment in the region’s cultural landscape.

The museum showcases more than six decades of Husain’s prolific career, presenting over 150 works that include large-format paintings, sketches, drawings, tapestries, films, and mixed-media installations.

Among its signature features is Seeroo fi al ardh, Husain’s final major commissioned work in Qatar, which blends art, performance, and mechanised installation to illustrate humanity’s journey of innovation.

Architecturally, the museum is inspired by a sketch Husain himself created in 2008. New Delhi–based architect Martand Khosla transformed that vision into a striking structure composed of bold geometric forms, vibrant colours, and a distinctive cylindrical tower. The building reflects Husain’s fascination with cinema, storytelling, and the interplay of light and shadow.

Beyond its galleries, the museum functions as a multidisciplinary creative hub. It includes an auditorium, education and research spaces, and a Creativity Hub designed to support artistic experimentation and public engagement.

By integrating exhibition, learning, and dialogue, it aims to foster deeper connections between South Asian and Middle Eastern artistic traditions.

The institution also carries deep symbolic significance. Husain spent his final years in Qatar after leaving India, and the creation of this museum represents both an homage to his artistic vision and a reaffirmation of his global influence.

It offers a permanent and thoughtfully curated home for his work while inviting new generations to engage with his contributions to modern art.

Source: Al Jazeera, The Peninsula Qatar, Artnet News, The Art Newspaper