Poets/Writers From Punjab

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'

One of the widely celebrated and popular Urdu poets. Equally sung in romance and rebel. Faced political repression against his revolutionary views

Famous Pakistani ghazal singer belonging to the Patiala gharana. They have a unique style of blending Hindustani classical music with ghazals. Also sung for a number of Indian and Pakistani films.

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

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 Man Booker prize.

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.

One of the most read fiction and travelogue writers from Pakistan; known for his unique creativity and appeal.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a Pakistani instrumentalist, predominantly a qawwali and sufi singer. A winner of the Pride of Performance Award and the UNESCO Music Prize, his vocal range was unusually high.

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

One of the leading poets of new Urdu ghazal.

Popular Poet with dominant romantic shades celebrating love and life.

One of the leading and reputed Pakistani poets known for his neo-classical tone, equally well-known in India, lives in Houston USA.

Most outstanding Pakistani, Progressive poet. Also counted among leading fiction-writers. Edited an important literary magazine Funoon.

One of the most popular Urdu poets ever, known for his intense romantic poetry.

Popular poetess-writer of Punjabi. Bharatiya Jnanpeeth Awardee.

Prominent Pakistani poet, fiction writer, and critic; wrote two important novels Zawaal, and Deewaar ke Peechhe; also wrote a history of Pakistani literature

One of the prominent poets of Humour & Satire in the Indian subcontinent

One of the leading modern poets and short story writer, who made outstanding contribution to modern Urdu Nazm in India.

One of the most prominent modern poets of Pakistan

One of the most popular poets in the fourth and fifth decades of 20th century, contemporary of Faiz Ahmad Faiz.

Popular poet from Pakistan, known for his anti-establishment poetry, having mass following.

Popular romantic poet made famous by Malika Pukhraj by singining ghazal "abhi to main jawan huun". Wrote the National Anthem of Pakistan.

Iqbal Bano was a much admired ghazal singer from Pakistan. She learnt all forms of classical singing from Ustad Chaand Khan of the Delhi Gharana. The Pride of Performance Award was bestowed upon her.

One of most prominent post-modern Pakistani poets, known for the uniqueness of his poetic experience.

One of the founding-fathers of modern Urdu poetry.

One of the founding fathers of modern Urdu nazm. Known for his mystical association with Indian metaphysical tradition. Died young.

Popular pakistani poet who died young.

Munawwar Ali Khan was a Hindustani classical singer of the Patiala Gharana. He was the son of the maestro Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. He also learnt Dhrupad from Hussainuddin Dagar (Tansen Pandey).

One of the most outstanding modern poets who wrote both in Urdu and Punjabi. Also a film lyricist.

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.

One of the founding-fathers of modern Urdu poetry.

Noor Jahan was a singer and actress in British India and Pakistan. She was honored with the title, Malika-e-Tarannum. She has sung around 10,000 songs in numerous Indian and Pakistani languages. She was felicitated with the President's Award.

One of the most popular poets ever and film lyricist. Famous for his ghazal 'Garmi-e-hasrat-e-nakaam se jal jate hain'.

One of the most powerful voices of the post-independence Urdu ghazal

Famous Pakistani woman poet known for her unconventional views on society. Committed suicide at a young age.

A prolific poet and lyricist, his collaborations shaped the golden era of Bollywood music.

Famous poet from Pakistan. Committed suicide at an early age.

Shamshad Begum was one of the first singers of the Hindi film industry. From the 6000 songs that she had sung in a variety of Indian languages, 1287 were for Hindi films.

One of the earliest short story writers of Urdu, a contemporary of Premchand, known for his representation of rural life and facets of love

Amanat Ali Khan was a Pakistani classical and ghazal vocalist from the Patiala gharana and recipient of Pakistan’s prestigious 'Pride of Performance' award.

One of most prominent modern critics