Her Highness’ Speech at the Opening of Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum

Peace be upon you. 

Today we stand before a retrospective scene, as we honor a star of the past, celebrate his brilliance in the present, and bear witness to his legacy as it ventures into new horizons of the future. 

From a cultural perspective, an artist’s existence is marked by a rare duality: one life is confined to the finite time they spend on earth, and another is lived as a creator whose vision endures through their legacy. In this sense, legendary artists do not experience a cultural death; rather, they continue to survive in the collective memory of humanity. This is the beauty of their craft; vivid in their presence, and eternal in their absence.

Maqbool Fida Husain was one such legendary artist – a true master whose artistic works transcend borders and connect cultures, histories, and identities.

I first invited him to visit Qatar because I was interested to know more about him as a prominent figure and to understand the creative mind behind the artist. We became fast friends, just as Maqbool swiftly rediscovered his sense of belonging by returning to his Arab cultural roots. He embarked on an artistic endeavor that honored Arab civilization – interweaving heritage, identity, and history –until his works came to reflect a profound bond with the culture of the region.

As an Indian of Arab decent and Islamic faith, Husain turned to his Arab roots for inspiration where he was warmly embraced. Though undeniably an Indian citizen, we recognize that he was equally an Arab Muslim: two identities that enriched his understanding of the human condition.

During my visit to Yemen in 2010, I was delighted that he accompanied me to the homeland of his Arab roots–a land he held dear. This visit inspired him to create works of art – some of which you will have the chance to discover during your tour. Over the years, Maqbool became a cherished friend, and his bond with the State of Qatar deepened–first as a resident, and ultimately, in the final years of his life, as a citizen.

I am delighted to fulfill the dream of this late, esteemed artist by inaugurating the Maqbool Fida Husain Museum: “Lawh Wa Qalam”. This museum will stand as a new landmark in Education City - a museum dedicated to his work, as he wished it to be, showcasing pages from his life and a collection of his works, with its design having been brought to life based on an illustration sketched by the artist himself. 

Let us wander, together, through galleries of beauty and take a closer look at the art, creativity, and unique vision of Maqbool Fida Husain: eternally present among us, strolling barefoot- as he pleases- through the corridors of his museum, reliving wonderous scene from his memories.

Thank you for being here tonight.