’Crucifixion’, a calligraphic work by Ameena Ahmad Ahuja

Ameena Ahmad Ahuja is an Indian painter, calligrapher, writer and linguist, known for her calligraphic artworks inspired by Urdu poetry. Born to a British mother and Indian father, Ahuja studied at the Slade School of Art in London. She is a former member of the Faculty of Russian at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, and is also proficient in Persian, German, French, Hindi and English. Her career also included stints at Columbia University as a lecturer of poetry and as an artist in residence at Harvard University. Her works have been exhibited internationally. She has also served as official translator during the visits of Soviet dignitaries to India. Her late husband was a diplomat and former ambassador to the USSR. In 2009, she published Calligraphy in Islam. That same year she was awarded the Indian civilian honour of the Padma Shri for contributions to the Arts.