Born to be a painter, Maliha Azami Aga was an artist as far back as she can remember, even though she wanted to be a doctorlike her father, her role model. He was a massive influence in her attraction to literature and the arts, whilst her mother was also creatively inclined. It is worth noting that her father - Professor Dr. Muhammad Bashir Azami, was the personal physician and good friend of the legendary Sadequain, who would often visit their residence in Karachi, Pakistan, in the '70's, when she was a young girl. Sadequain would prove to be an inspirational and a huge driving force behind Maliha’s artistic career, encouraging her to pick up the brush. She never forgot this.

Another major influence in her life as an artist, was her early experience as a casual art student with Bashir Mirza at the Atelier BM in Karachi. He would call her "choti", because she was younger than her sister, Fauzia, who would also attend his classes. Her love for colour & unabashed strokes can easily be attributed to BM. An influence that has lasted for all of her life.

Maliha embarked upon her mission to rise to the top of her field by completing her B.F.A. (with Honours) in Graphic Design from the Department of Fine Arts at the University of the Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan. She pursued a Masters in Fine Arts (G.D.), from the same institution - one that she would devote most of her career towards - before going on to a second Masters from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, USA. This was a Masters of Art in Art Education (Major in Painting) - a degree she graduated Summa cum Laude in, with a GPA of 4.0.

Maliha would return to Pakistan to “teach the teachers”, as advised by her professor in the United States - and continued as a Lecturer at the Punjab University. She rose through the ranks before retiring as the Principal of the University College of Art & Design (formerly the Dept. of Fine Arts) - the very same College she began her journey from all those many years prior. Her passion for teaching and her loyalty to the institution she gave her best years to (when she could have easily charted a different, perhaps more lucrative path), stand as a testament to her strong character and passion for the Arts.

Maliha’s allergy to oils pushed her to pursue painting with acrylics - a domain she thrives in and has embraced wholeheartedly. Maliha's paintings are conceptual, (semi) abstract, expressionistic and are evidently painted straight from the heart. She uses unabashed, wild strokes of raw colour in her iconic acrylic paintings but at the same time does not limit herself to acrylics nor just painting abstracts - indeed her portraits are pieces to be marvelled at, a testamentto her drawingskills & a her understandingof the human form. Maliha has also experimented with mixed media to great success - and flourishes in any form of art she chooses to touch. All her works carry a remarkable and unique style that is unmistakably hers - the hallmark of an artist sure of their craft.

Maliha has spent the last few years focusing on her solo work - conducting numerous solo exhibitions including ‘Alchemy’, ‘Quintessence’, ‘High Voltage’ & ‘Suspended Animation’. Her next target is an exhibition outside of Pakistan - so that the world at large can share in her love for art and witness what Pakistani artists are capable of. Never shying away from a challenge, Maliha still continues to push the envelope and break the boundaries of what artists are expected to achieve. In a patriarchal society, just being oneself - a woman holding her head up high - is a very revolutionary endeavor. Maliha is undoubtedly one of those women, and her work continues to inspire and enthral an entire nation. Her strength of character shines through each work, no matter the medium. She continues to live and paint unapologetically!