Ashkara Khanam ‘Kashf’ was born on 11 November 1977 in Sihali Jageer, Amroha district, Uttar Pradesh, India. She holds a Master's degree in English Literature from Rohilkhand University and has also earned the qualifications of Adeeb Kamil and Muallim in Urdu language and literature. Deeply associated with the field of education, she served as the Principal of a reputed private educational institution in Gajraula, where she played a significant role in both academic leadership and administration.

In June 2001, she married Mr. Suhaib Farooqi, a senior officer in the Delhi Police and a distinguished Urdu poet and writer. Following her marriage, she settled in Delhi, where a vibrant literary environment and intellectual companionship inspired her creative journey. It was during this period that she turned seriously toward poetry and adopted the pen name “Kashf,” an Arabic word meaning revelation, unveiling, or the manifestation of a hidden truth.

To acquire a formal grounding in the art of poetry, she became a disciple of the late Qazi Abrar Kiratpuri, under whose guidance she received rigorous training in the craft of Urdu verse. Through his mentorship, she developed a profound understanding of the intricacies of the ghazal, the finer nuances of poetic expression, and the technical principles of Ilm-e-Arooz (Urdu prosody). Years of dedicated study, literary discipline, and creative practice enabled her to establish herself not only as a distinctive poet but also as a respected practitioner and scholar of Urdu prosody.

Her poetry is characterized by emotional sensitivity, intellectual depth, social awareness, and a nuanced expression of women’s experiences. The ghazal remains her preferred poetic form, and she has composed more than one hundred ghazals, many of which are currently awaiting publication. She is a regular participant in major literary gatherings, academic forums, and distinguished mushairas held in Delhi and the National Capital Region.

Today, Ashkara Khanam ‘Kashf’ is regarded as one of the emerging voices in contemporary Urdu poetry. Her work combines sincerity, reflective thought, and graceful expression, transforming personal experiences and contemporary concerns into poetry of lasting resonance.