Poets/Writers From India

One of the founding fathers of Urdu poetry, contemporary of Meer Taqi Meer.

The greatest Urdu poet of humour and satire, who was a Sessions judge at Allahabad.

First poet of Rekhta/Hindvi, musician, and disciple of Sufi Saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia. Known for his "pahelis," which form part of Indian folklore. He is famous for inventing two of the most important musical instruments, tabla and sitar. Wrote "Ze-hal-e-miskin…" one of the earliest prototypes of Urdu ghazal written in Persian and Hindvi.

Asha Bhosle is an Indian playback singer and the sister of Lata Mangeshkar. Her awards include the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the Padma Vibhushan, among many others.

Last of the classical poets who celebrated life and love. Famous for his playfulness with words (idioms/phrases).

Mughal crown prince and Sufi scholar celebrated for his syncretic vision; translated the Upanishads into Persian and authored Majma-ul-Bahrain to bridge Islamic and Hindu thought.

One of the most influential pre-modern poets who paved the way for the modern Urdu ghazal. Known for his perceptive critical comments. Recipient of the Gyanpeeth Award.

Celebrated poet, novelist, song and scriptwriter. Acclaimed for directing a tele-serial on Mirza Ghalib. Recipient of Sahitya Academy and Dada Sahab Phalke awards.

Hariharan is an Indian singer who has sung for films in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Bhojpuri, and Telugu languages. He is also an esteemed ghazal singer and winner of the Padma Shri and National Awards.

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.

Most prominent fiction writer, known for his stories woven around the experience of Partition and for his individual style of telling tales. The first Urdu writer to have been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

Jagjit Singh was a prominent Indian ghazal singer, songwriter, and musician. Also known as the 'Ghazal King,' he was the recipient of many prestigious awards, some of which were Rajasthan Ratna, Padma Bhushan, and the Sahitya Akademi Award.

Prominent Urdu critic, literary historian, linguist, and translator; also served as Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University and Chair of Urdu Lughat Board.

One of the most prominent modern Urdu poets, popular among the masses for his unconventional ways.

Most prominent linguist and lexicologist, mentor of Mir and Mir Dard.

Sufi poet, contemporary of Mir Taqi Mir, known for his deep knowledge of Indian music.

Kishore Kumar was an Indian film playback singer, actor, lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenplay writer, and scriptwriter. He has sung in many Indian languages. The Kishore Kumar Award has been introduced in his memory.

A contemporary of Manto, associated with the Progressive Writers' Movement, known for his stories of romance and social realism.

Lata Mangeshkar is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. She has been awarded the Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Dada Saheb Phalke Award. She is the elder sister of Asha Bhosle.

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).

Mehdi Hasan was a ghazal and playback singer of Pakistan. He was also known as 'Shehenshah-e-Ghazal' He was honored with the Pride of Performance Award and numerous Nigar Awards for his inimitable contribution to music.

Legendary Urdu poet occupying a place of pride in worldwide literature. One of the most quotable poets, having couplets for almost all situations of life.

The most prominent stylist of Urdu prose and author of "Aab-e-Hayaat." Himself a poet, he was a major force behind the movement for the new Nazm in Urdu.

Mohammad Rafi is one of the most celebrated and revered playback singers of India. He was honored with the Padma Shri and the National Film Award by the Government of India. He has also sung in English, Persian, Spanish, and Dutch.

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

Contemporary of Ghalib and Zauq. Also a physician, astrologer, and chess player. Mirza Ghalib is said to have offered his complete Divan for his sher "Tum mere paas hote ho goya, Jab koi doosra nahin hota.".

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

One of the earliest poets at Delhi who laid the foundations of Urdu poetry. He witnessed the destruction of Delhi during Nadir Shah's invasion.

One of the most prominent classical Urdu poets who wrote extensively on Indian culture & festivals, contemporary of Mir Taqi Mir, famous for his poems on Holi, Diwali, and Lord Krishna.

Prominent 18th-century poet, contemporary of Mir Taqi Mir.

First Urdu poet to have compiled and published a Divan. King of the Qutub Shahi dynasty of South India. Founder of Hyderabad city.

Bengali polymath who was active as a poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer, and painter during the age of the Bengal Renaissance. The only Indian-origin author to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

World-renowned Urdu fiction writers, known for masterpieces like "Thanda Gosht," "Khol Do," "Toba Tek Singh," etc.

Prominent 18th-century Delhi poet.