Lawh Wa Qalam

About

Lawh Wa Qalam (lit. 'Canvas and Pen') is a museum located in Education City on the outskirts of Doha, Qatar. Spanning an area of more than 3,000 square meters, it contains more than 150 works in its collection. Commissioned by the Qatar Foundation, the museum was inaugurated on November 28, 2025. It is dedicated to the life and works of Indian artist M. F. Husain. Husain, who faced backlash from Hindu nationalists in India due to his nude portrayals of Hindu goddesses, went into a self-imposed exile for his safety in 2006. He relocated to Qatar, where he lived until his death in 2011. The museum contains various works created by Husain during his stay in Qatar. It is said that the creation of the museum was a promise made to Husain before his death by his friend and patron Moza bint Nasser, chair of the Qatar Foundation and mother of current Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The museum building was designed by Indian architect Martand Khosla. The design takes inspiration from a sketch made by Husain in 2008. It consists of two square bluish structures and a cylindrical white tower. Glazed tiles, reminiscent of Central Asian architecture, cover the exterior, shielding the building from heat. The phrase Lawh Wa Qalam (Arabic for "Canvas and Pen") is inscribed on the facade. Entrance is via a golden arched doorway. No natural light is allowed into the upper g

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