Poets/Writers From Lucknow

One of the most firebrand poets of Lucknow, contemporary of Meer Taqi Meer. His rivalry with Mushafi is well-recorded. Also wrote Rekhti poetry and "Raani Ketki ki Kahani" in prose.

One of the most prominent classical poets at Lucknow, who excelled in Mersia poetry, was a contemporary of Mirza Ghalib.

Considered to be the foremost poet of masnavi.

One of the greatest Urdu poets, known as Khuda-e-Sukhan (God of Poetry).

One of the greatest 18th-century poets, contemporary of Mir Taqi Mir.

One of the most prolific 18th-century poets, contemporary of Mir Taqi Mir.

A prominent scholar, author, translator, and novelist of the twentieth century had a keen eye on the socio-cultural life of Lucknow.

Prominent Lucknow poet who was very close to the royal family. Moved to Kolkata and stayed with Hamid Ali Kaukab, the Crown Prince of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah in exile.

Prominent poet, well-known Sanskrit scholar, and Sahitya Academy award winner.

Eminent Urdu poet and contemporary of Dagh Dehlvi. Famous for penning the ghazal "Sarakti jaye hai rukh se naqaab aahista aahista.".

One of the most famous Progressive poets known for romantic and revolutionary poetry. He was the maternal uncle to film lyricist Jawed Akhtar.

A prominent poet of Lucknow, son of Mirza Dabeer, is also known for his book on 'Arooz' called 'Miqyas-ul-Ashaar'.

Contemporary of Mirza Ghalib, Aatish was one of the shining stars of 19th-century Urdu Ghazal.

Freedom fighter, member of the Constituent Assembly which drafted the Indian Constitution. He gave the slogan "Inquilab Zindabad" during the freedom movement. He was a devotee of Shri Krishna. He wrote the famous ghazal "Chupke Chupke Raat Din".

One of the most prominent Pakistani poets, famous for his cultural romanticism.

One of the most prominent and trend-setting classical poets from Lucknow. Contemporary of Mirza Ghalib.

One of the most prominent modern poets, famous for his neo-classical poetry.

Known for depicting romantic encounters with the beloved in lurid details, he lost his eyesight in the prime of youth.

Prominent 19th-century poet at Lucknow.

Son and crown prince of the last Nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah.

Most prominent Urdu poet writing elegies.

Known for his iconic Masnavi 'Zahr-e-Ishq,' a romantic tale written in lyrical verse.

Prominent short story writer, known for writing fictional narratives of the traditional mores of Lucknowi life and times. Also wrote critical and autobiographical books.

Known for his sher 'Kah raha hai shor-e-darya se samandar ka sukoot…'.

One of the most celebrated 19th-century Lucknow poets, author of the renowned masnavi Gulzaar-e-Naseem.

Known for Rekhti, a form of Urdu poetry where a poet speaks in the language of women.

Translator, storyteller, and poet, known for his book Fasana-e-Azad.

One of the representative poets of the Lucknow school and a disciple of Aatish.

One of the most inspiring pre-modern poets who laid foundations for the modern ghazal. Known for his sustained denunciation of Mirza Ghalib and contemporary poetry in Lucknow.

A prominent poet and scholar of Lucknow, a disciple of Dagh and Natiq Gulawathhi, known for his annotations of Ghalib and Hafiz, and editing the works of the earliest women poets of Urdu.

Popular poet of humour and satire, famous for his interesting way of recitation.

Hanuman Prasad Sharma Aajiz Matvi is a well-known Persian and Arabic scholar.

A pre-modern poet who wrote both ghazals and nazms also wrote poems for children.

Well-known poet and critic known for his book 'Do Adabi School'.

Famous for his musical play 'Inder Sabha', contemporary of the last Nawab of Avadh, wajid Ali Shah.

A leading judge of the Allahabad High Court. Member of the 4th Lok Sabha.

Well-known fiction writer, poet, and critic; wrote novels in the backdrop of Lucknow’s cultural life.

Nawab of Awadh.

Eminent contemporary Pakistani Urdu fiction writer, critic, editor, and academician. Father of writer and translator Asif Farrukhi.

Renowned woman poet known from Lucknow and a companion of Qurratulain Hyder.

Famous for his ghazal "Ai jazba-e-dil gar main chahun har cheez muqaabil aa jaye," sung by many singers.