rekhta_top_poets_list.json

[
  {
    "name": "Adil Mansuri",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/adil-mansuri",
    "location": "Ahmedabad",
    "active_years": "1936 -2008",
    "description": "One of the leading modernist poets who broke many conventions. Wrote poetry in Urdu and Gujarati. He was also a famous calligrapher and playwright"
  },
  {
    "name": "Ahmad Faraz",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/ahmad-faraz",
    "location": "Islamabad",
    "active_years": "1931 -2008",
    "description": "Widely celebrated and sung Urdu poet. Rose to iconic stature through his seductively romantic and anti-establishment poetry"
  },
  {
    "name": "Ahmad Mushtaq",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/ahmad-mushtaq",
    "location": "USA",
    "active_years": "1933",
    "description": "One of the leading and reputed Pakistani poets known for his neo-classical tone, equally well-known in India, lives in Houston USA."
  },
  {
    "name": "Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/ahmad-nadeem-qasmi",
    "location": "Lahore",
    "active_years": "1916 -2006",
    "description": "Most outstanding Pakistani, Progressive poet. Also counted among leading fiction-writers. Edited an important literary magazine Funoon."
  },
  {
    "name": "Aitbar Sajid",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/aitbar-sajid",
    "location": "Islamabad",
    "active_years": "1948",
    "description": null
  },
  {
    "name": "Akbar Allahabadi",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/akbar-allahabadi",
    "location": "Allahabad",
    "active_years": "1846 -1921",
    "description": "The greatest Urdu poet of humour and satire who was a Sessions judge at  Allahabad."
  },
  {
    "name": "Akhtarul Iman",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/akhtarul-iman",
    "location": "Mumbai",
    "active_years": "1915 -1996",
    "description": "One of the pillars of modern Urdu Nazms & Dialogue writer. Wrote dialogues for more than hundred films including \"Waqt\" & \"Qanoon\". (Jin ke ghar sheeshe ke hote hain wo doosron par pather nahin phenkte-One of his dialogues made famous by Rajkumar in Film Waqt)."
  },
  {
    "name": "Ali Sardar Jafri",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/ali-sardar-jafri",
    "location": "Mumbai",
    "active_years": "1913 -2000",
    "description": "One of the most celebrated progressive poets, literary critic, public intellectual and editor.Contemporary of Faiz Ahmad Faiz. Recipient of Gyanpeeth Award. Produced documentaries on Urdu poetry."
  },
  {
    "name": "Allama Iqbal",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/allama-iqbal",
    "location": "Lahore",
    "active_years": "1877 -1938",
    "description": "One of the greatest Urdu Poets. National poet of Pakistan who penned 'Saare jahaan se achha hindostaan hamara' and 'Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri'"
  },
  {
    "name": "Ameer Minai",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/ameer-minai",
    "location": "Hyderabad",
    "active_years": "1829 -1900",
    "description": "Eminent Urdu Poet and contemporary of Dagh Dehlvi. Famous for penning ghazal \"Sarakti jaye hai rukh se naqaab aahista aahista\"."
  },
  {
    "name": "Asrarul Haq Majaz",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/asrarul-haq-majaz",
    "location": "Lucknow",
    "active_years": "1911 -1955",
    "description": "One of the most famous Progressive poets known for romantic & revolutionary poetry. He was maternal Uncle to film lyricist Jawed Akhtar."
  },
  {
    "name": "Bahadur Shah Zafar",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/bahadur-shah-zafar",
    "location": "Delhi",
    "active_years": "1775 -1862",
    "description": "Last Mughal Emperor and contemporary of Ghalib and Zauq."
  },
  {
    "name": "Bashar Nawaz",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/bashar-nawaz",
    "location": "Aurangabad",
    "active_years": "1935 -2015",
    "description": "One of the prominent progressive poets, critic and lyricist Known for writing lyrics ‘karoge yaad to har baat yaad…’  for ‘Bazaar’."
  },
  {
    "name": "Faiz Ahmad Faiz",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/faiz-ahmad-faiz",
    "location": "Lahore",
    "active_years": "1911 -1984",
    "description": "One of the widely celebrated and popular Urdu poets. Equally sung in romance and rebel. Faced political repression against his revolutionary views"
  },
  {
    "name": "Firaq Gorakhpuri",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/firaq-gorakhpuri",
    "location": "Allahabad",
    "active_years": "1896 -1982",
    "description": "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 Gyanpeeth award."
  },
  {
    "name": "Gulzar",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/gulzar",
    "location": "Mumbai",
    "active_years": "1936",
    "description": "Celebrated poet, novelist, song and scriptwriter. Acclaimed for directing tele-serial on Mirza Ghalib. Recipient of Sahitya Academy and Dada Sahab Phalke awards"
  },
  {
    "name": "Hasrat Mohani",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/hasrat-mohani",
    "location": "Delhi",
    "active_years": "1878 -1951",
    "description": "Freedom fighter, member of constituent assembly which drafted Indian Constitution. He gave the slogan \"Inquilab Zindabad\" during freedom movement. He was a devotee of Shri Krishna. He wrote the famous ghazal \"chupke chupke raat din\"."
  },
  {
    "name": "Jaun Eliya",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/jaun-eliya",
    "location": "Karachi",
    "active_years": "1931 -2002",
    "description": "One of the most prominent modern Urdu poets. Popular among masses for his unconventional ways"
  },
  {
    "name": "Jigar Moradabadi",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/jigar-moradabadi",
    "location": "Moradabad",
    "active_years": "1890 -1960",
    "description": "One of the most prominent pre-modern poets who enjoyed stunning popularity and fan-following."
  },
  {
    "name": "Kaifi Azmi",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/kaifi-azmi",
    "location": "Mumbai",
    "active_years": "1918 -2002",
    "description": "One of prominent progressive poets with popular appeal. Also film lyricist famous for his lyrics in films like Heer Ranjha, Kaghaz ke Phool etc."
  },
  {
    "name": "Khumar Barabankavi",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/khumar-barabankavi",
    "location": "Barabanki",
    "active_years": "1919 -1999",
    "description": "Popular poet who also penned film lyrics."
  },
  {
    "name": "Majrooh Sultanpuri",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/majrooh-sultanpuri",
    "location": "Mumbai",
    "active_years": "1919 -2000",
    "description": "One of the most lyrical of ghazal poets associated with progressive movement. Outstanding film lyricist. Recipient of Dada Sahab Phalke award."
  },
  {
    "name": "Meer Taqi Meer",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/meer-taqi-meer",
    "location": "Delhi",
    "active_years": "1723 -1810",
    "description": "One of the greatest Urdu poets. Known as Khuda-e-Sukhan (God of Poetry)"
  },
  {
    "name": "Mirza Ghalib",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/mirza-ghalib",
    "location": "Delhi",
    "active_years": "1797 -1869",
    "description": "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"
  },
  {
    "name": "Mohammad Rafi Sauda",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/mohammad-rafi-sauda",
    "location": "Delhi",
    "active_years": "1713 -1781",
    "description": "One of the greatest 18th century poets. Contemporary of Mir Taqi Mir"
  },
  {
    "name": "Momin Khan Momin",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/momin-khan-momin",
    "location": "Delhi",
    "active_years": "1800 -1852",
    "description": "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\""
  },
  {
    "name": "Munawwar Rana",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/munawwar-rana",
    "location": "Lucknow",
    "active_years": "1952 -2024",
    "description": "Popular poet having dominating presence in mushairas."
  },
  {
    "name": "Muneer Niyazi",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/muneer-niyazi",
    "location": "Lahore",
    "active_years": "1928 -2006",
    "description": "One of the most outstanding modern poets who wrote both in Urdu and Punjabi. Also a film lyricist."
  },
  {
    "name": "Nasir Kazmi",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/nasir-kazmi",
    "location": "Lahore",
    "active_years": "1925 -1972",
    "description": "One of the founders of modern ghazal. Born at Ambala in India, he migrated to Pakistan and wrote extensively on the pain and sufferings of partition."
  },
  {
    "name": "Nida Fazli",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/nida-fazli",
    "location": "Mumbai",
    "active_years": "1938 -2016",
    "description": "One of the most prominent modern poets with wide popular appeal. Well-known film lyricist, prose writer. Famous for his ghazal 'Kabhi kisi ko mukammal Jahan nahin milta…'."
  },
  {
    "name": "Noon Meem Rashid",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/noon-meem-rashid",
    "location": "United Kingdom",
    "active_years": "1910 -1975",
    "description": "One of the founding-fathers of modern Urdu poetry."
  },
  {
    "name": "Parveen Shakir",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/parveen-shakir",
    "location": "Karachi",
    "active_years": "1952 -1994",
    "description": "One of the most popular woman poets who gave expression to feelings and experiences specific to women."
  },
  {
    "name": "Pirzada Qasim",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/pirzada-qasim",
    "location": "Karachi",
    "active_years": "1943",
    "description": "Pakistani poet known for the ghazals laced with social and political satire"
  },
  {
    "name": "Qateel Shifai",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/qateel-shifai",
    "location": "Lahore",
    "active_years": "1919 -2001",
    "description": "One of the most popular poets ever and film lyricist. Famous for his ghazal 'Garmi-e-hasrat-e-nakaam se jal jate hain'."
  },
  {
    "name": "Rahat Indori",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/rahat-indori",
    "location": "Indore",
    "active_years": "1950 -2020",
    "description": "Popular poet and film lyricist."
  },
  {
    "name": "Sahir Ludhianvi",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/sahir-ludhianvi",
    "location": "Mumbai",
    "active_years": "1921 -1980",
    "description": "Leading progressive Indian poet and celebrated film-lyricist. Popular for his writings against social injustice and backwardness in society"
  },
  {
    "name": "Saleem Kausar",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/saleem-kausar",
    "location": "Karachi",
    "active_years": "1947",
    "description": "Well-known poet from Pakistan famous for his ghazal \"main khayaal hoon kisi aur ka…\""
  },
  {
    "name": "Shad Azimabadi",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/shad-azimabadi",
    "location": "Patna",
    "active_years": "1846 -1927",
    "description": "One of the most prominent pre-modern poets."
  },
  {
    "name": "Shahryar",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/shahryar",
    "location": "Aligarh",
    "active_years": "1936 -2012",
    "description": "One of the most prominent modern Urdu poets and lyricist. Wrote songs for the movie \"Umrao Jaan\". Recipient of the Bhartiya Gyan Peeth award."
  },
  {
    "name": "Shakeel Badayuni",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/shakeel-badayuni-3",
    "location": "Mumbai",
    "active_years": "1916 -1970",
    "description": "Famous poet and film lyricist"
  },
  {
    "name": "Tahzeeb Hafi",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/tahzeeb-hafi",
    "location": "Taunsa Sharif",
    "active_years": "1988",
    "description": "Immensely popular contemporary Pakistani poet."
  },
  {
    "name": "Waseem Barelvi",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/waseem-barelvi",
    "location": "Bareilly",
    "active_years": "1940",
    "description": "Popular poet having vast mass following."
  },
  {
    "name": "Zafar Iqbal",
    "href": "https://www.rekhta.org/poets/zafar-iqbal",
    "location": "Lahore",
    "active_years": "1933",
    "description": "One of the most prominent and trend-setter poet of new Urdu ghazal having a vast following."
  }
]