Maqbool Fida Husain, often referred to as India's Picasso, left his mark on the art world in the 20th century with a multitude of mediums including painting, filmmaking, photography, and poetry. Born in Indore, Western India in 1915, he became one of the most prolific Indian artists of modern times.
After moving to Mumbai at a young age, Husain began working as a billboard painter before developing his passion for art seriously. He co-founded the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group with fellow renowned artists Francis Newton Souza and Sayed Haider Raza in 1947. During this period, he created numerous influential works that showcased both modernist and folk-inspired styles.
However, Husain's life took a drastic turn as Hindu nationalists targeted him for his depiction of nude Hindu deities and other figures from Indian mythology. As the attacks escalated, he was subjected to relentless criticism and lawsuits, which ultimately led to the demolition of his home in Mumbai and the issuance of arrest warrants across the country.
With his safety compromised, Husain left India in 2006 and subsequently moved to Qatar, where he found a new sense of freedom to continue his work. In 2010, the Qatari government offered him citizenship, and after nearly two decades of living in exile, Husain's iconic works finally found a permanent home in Doha.
The Lawh Wa Qalam museum, dedicated to Husain's life and works, has been inaugurated in Qatar with an impressive collection of 35 paintings from his Arab Civilisation series. The museum showcases not only Husain's final works but also many other mediums including photography, films, and poetry.
Husain's artistic journey was marked by a mix of modernist and traditional elements. His work depicted iconic figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and mythological characters from the Mahabharata, drawing inspiration from both Indian folklore and Western art movements.
The architect of the museum Martand Khosla said that Husain’s influence on the Indian cultural landscape was profound, adding that he grew up seeing his works everywhere. The museum's design incorporates various influences inspired by Husain's own artwork, including blue tiles originating from Central Asia.
Husain's story is a poignant reminder of the price one pays for artistic freedom and the importance of protecting such fundamental rights. With the loss of this celebrated artist still being felt today, his legacy lives on through his captivating works displayed in the Lawh Wa Qalam museum – an ode to the board and the pen, symbolizing the transformative power of art itself.
As Al Jazeera reported, Husain's biographer Akhilesh described him as a friend who treated him like his son. His love for India never wavered despite being forced into exile, as he said, "This is just a piece of paper. India is my motherland, and I simply cannot leave that country."
After moving to Mumbai at a young age, Husain began working as a billboard painter before developing his passion for art seriously. He co-founded the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group with fellow renowned artists Francis Newton Souza and Sayed Haider Raza in 1947. During this period, he created numerous influential works that showcased both modernist and folk-inspired styles.
However, Husain's life took a drastic turn as Hindu nationalists targeted him for his depiction of nude Hindu deities and other figures from Indian mythology. As the attacks escalated, he was subjected to relentless criticism and lawsuits, which ultimately led to the demolition of his home in Mumbai and the issuance of arrest warrants across the country.
With his safety compromised, Husain left India in 2006 and subsequently moved to Qatar, where he found a new sense of freedom to continue his work. In 2010, the Qatari government offered him citizenship, and after nearly two decades of living in exile, Husain's iconic works finally found a permanent home in Doha.
The Lawh Wa Qalam museum, dedicated to Husain's life and works, has been inaugurated in Qatar with an impressive collection of 35 paintings from his Arab Civilisation series. The museum showcases not only Husain's final works but also many other mediums including photography, films, and poetry.
Husain's artistic journey was marked by a mix of modernist and traditional elements. His work depicted iconic figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and mythological characters from the Mahabharata, drawing inspiration from both Indian folklore and Western art movements.
The architect of the museum Martand Khosla said that Husain’s influence on the Indian cultural landscape was profound, adding that he grew up seeing his works everywhere. The museum's design incorporates various influences inspired by Husain's own artwork, including blue tiles originating from Central Asia.
Husain's story is a poignant reminder of the price one pays for artistic freedom and the importance of protecting such fundamental rights. With the loss of this celebrated artist still being felt today, his legacy lives on through his captivating works displayed in the Lawh Wa Qalam museum – an ode to the board and the pen, symbolizing the transformative power of art itself.
As Al Jazeera reported, Husain's biographer Akhilesh described him as a friend who treated him like his son. His love for India never wavered despite being forced into exile, as he said, "This is just a piece of paper. India is my motherland, and I simply cannot leave that country."
Husain's journey from painting billboards to making a mark on the world is so inspiring. But what really gets me is how he risked everything to create his art & still chose to love India despite the struggles he faced 
His artwork is like a reflection of his courage & conviction. The way the Qatari government finally recognized him and offered him citizenship is amazing 
Its a testament that even in exile, an artist can still find freedom to express himself.
I love how it incorporates all these different mediums & influences. Its like stepping into Husain's world of art & mythology 
What I wish people could learn from his story is the importance of protecting artistic expression & creativity 
. The fact that his art was able to bring people together despite the challenges he faced is truly amazing 
. I mean, the man had to deal with so much backlash and criticism from Hindu nationalists just because of how he chose to express himself through his art 
.
. It just goes to show that our identities are complex and multifaceted, and we can never fully separate ourselves from where we come from 
. His story is a reminder of the importance of protecting artistic freedom and promoting diversity in all its forms 
.
He was such an iconic artist back in my day... 
. Its crazy to think he had to live in exile because of what he created 
His story is a reminder that art has the power to bring people together, not tear them apart 
! one minute you're killing it with your art in india, next thing you know, people are trying to burn your paintings and sue you for being "too liberal" 
. but hey, who needs freedom of speech when you can have a fancy museum dedicated to your work? 
the qatari government is like "hey, we'll give you citizenship if you move here... just please don't paint anything that offends us" 
. honestly, it's a bit suspicious how quickly he got his citizenship after moving there 
but i guess when you're an indian icon, they make exceptions for you 
. anyhoo, the lawh wa qalam museum is pretty dope and shows just how talented husain was 
.
What do you guys think about Maqbool Fida Husain's legacy? Should he be remembered as a true pioneer in Indian art, or was his story more complex than that?