Shamshad did his Post Graduation from Royal College of Art, London (1979-80). He is the recipient of the National Award (1983), Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi. In 1983-85 he was also awarded the Govt. of India Fellowship for Art. His success has propelled him to the forefront of modern Indian art and he has held exhibitions in different parts of the world including the Biennales of Tokyo, Dhaka, Ankara and Bhopal. Today, Shamshad's works sell as soon as he can paint them. And the art world looks up in anticipation whenever he announces an exhibition.