Dr Zaheda Khanam (b. 1971) is a born artist. She had her education mostly in Varanasi. After obtaining BA and BEd degrees from Banaras Hindu University she did her Masters in Fine Arts from Aligarh Muslim University with a first division and received her doctorate from the BHU under the supervision of Prof. T.K. Biswas. Her parents are educationists — her mother Hamida Khanam has established the Modern Education Junior High School in Varanasi.

Zaheda as a painter tries to express her dissatisfaction with the social conditions prevailing around her. Her expression being symbolic and powerful is devoid of unnecessary details, and the colours dominant in her expression are subdued. She has exhibited her paintings at various reputed institutions in Uttar Pradesh, and received several awards as well.