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Khwaja Ahmad Abbas — featured artwork

Introduction

Khwaja Ahmad Abbas (1914-1987) was a prolific Indian writer, director, producer and journalist, known for his vast contribution across cinema and journalism. A founding member of the Progressive Writers' Association, his extensive creative output includes over 74 books, 100 short stories, 3000 newspaper columns in Urdu, Hindi, and English, and 45 films. Entering cinema as a publicist, he later founded his own production company, Naya Sansar. Abbas used his films to engage critically with contemporary social and political issues, consistently exploring themes like hunger, poverty, and exploitation, driven by his vision for an egalitarian India.
Date of Birth
07 Jun 1914
Date of Death
01 Jun 1987
Age
72
Spouse(s)
Mujji
Year Marriage Registered
1942
Parent(s)
Masroora Khatoon
Ghulam Us
Ancestor(s)
Maulana Altaf

Filmography

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Integrated Timeline

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Economics of Cinema

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Research Centre

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Posts

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Calendar 6

  1. KHWAJA AHMAD ABBAS
    ArchivedPanel DiscussionProject 45
    KHWAJA AHMAD ABBAS
    A Karmayogi's Polymathic Vision of Love
    8th February 2026
    7:30pm
    India International Centre, 1st Floor Seminar Halls, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Block, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi, 110003
    Syeda Hameed,Neelima Azeem, Saeed Akhtar Mirza & Neville Tuli
  2. The Khwaja Ahmad Abbas Memorial Trust Lecture by SAEED AKHTAR MIRZA
    ArchivedLectureProject 44
    The Khwaja Ahmad Abbas Memorial Trust Lecture by SAEED AKHTAR MIRZA
    8th February 2026
    6:30pm
    India International Centre, 1st Floor Seminar Halls, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Block, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi, 110003
  3. Public Launch of A-Graphy Pages KHWAJA AHMAD ABBAS
    ArchivedOnline LearningProject 43
    Public Launch of A-Graphy Pages KHWAJA AHMAD ABBAS
    8th February 2026
    6:15pm
    India International Centre, 1st Floor Seminar Halls, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Block, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi, 110003
  4. Social Responsibility of the Creative Mind
    ArchivedIndia Studies PresentationProject 42
    Social Responsibility of the Creative Mind
    9th Research Category for India Studies | An Introduction
    8th February 2026
    6:00pm
    India International Centre, 1st Floor Seminar Halls, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Block, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi, 110003
  5. Vintage Publicity Art from the Cinema of Khwaja Ahmad Abbas
    ArchivedExhibition by Invitation Only | for Educational InstitutionsProject 41
    Vintage Publicity Art from the Cinema of Khwaja Ahmad Abbas
    Selections from the Tuli Research Centre for India Studies & the Khwaja Ahmad Abbas Memorial Trust Collection
    8th - 12th February 2026
    11:00am
    The Well, The Tuli Research Centre for India Studies, 14 Green Avenue, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070
  6. Exhibition | The Cinema of Raj Kapoor | T.R.I.S. in Collaboration with 17th Habitat Film Festival
    ArchivedExhibitionProject 14
    Exhibition | The Cinema of Raj Kapoor | T.R.I.S. in Collaboration with 17th Habitat Film Festival
    14th - 19th May 2025
    T.R.I.S. in Collaboration with 17th Habitat Film Festival will be commemorating the life and work of two pioneering individuals of the Indian film industry, who shaped Indian cinema in their unique ways. One exhibition celebrates the birth centenary of Raj Kapoor, while the other remembers Shyam Benegal. The Cinema of Raj Kapoor – 15 to 20 May 2025 The Cinema of Shyam Benegal - 21 to 25 May 2025 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily at the Convention Centre Foyer Gallery
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    +13 more