Best Urdu Poets Of All Time

 Dil nā-umīd to nahīñ nākām hī to hai, lambī hai ġham kī Shaam Magar Shaam hī to hai – Faiz Ahmed Faiz (one of the best Urdu Poets)

Urdu is one of the most beautiful languages in the world, it is such a sweet tone to the ears. Especially when it’s Ghazal or Urdu Poetry.

Some of the Urdu poets have transformed darkness to sunshine and words to poetry.

Best Urdu Poets of all time-

Amir Khusrow

Amir Khusrow, also known as the very first Urdu poet. His writings are famous all over the world. He considered the Sun to be the galloping deer, streams of fire, darts in the sky, washing agent for water and earth, and so on. He has also written one very unique poem on his love for Delhi. Amir Khusro’s poetry gives a strong wave of metaphors for living.

Urdu Translation

Khusrau darya Prem ka, Ulti wa ki Dhaar,

Jo Utra so Doob gaya, jo Dooba so Paar.

This is his one of the most famous couplets which everyone adores.

English Translation.

Oh Khusrau, the river of love

Runs in strange directions.

One who jumps into it drowns,

And one who drowns gets across.

Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib

Ghalib, one of the best Urdu poets, started writing poetry when he was 19. Though it is very sparse to tell when he started because there is rarely evidence of the dates. At first, his writings were very obscure. Later he adapted the mature version of his writings. And subsequently, he gave up Urdu altogether but left a mark on the world.

Urdu Translation

Hain Aur Bhee Duniya Mein Sukhanwar Bohot Achche

Kehte Jain ki ‘Ghalib’ ka hai Andaaz-e-bayan Aur

English Translation 

There are many more good poets in the world

but they say Ghalib has a style that’s all his own

Naqsh Farhyadi 

Urdu Translation 

Naqsh Faryaadi Hai Kiski Shaukhi-e Tehreer ka

Kagazi Hai Pairahan Har Paikar-e Tasveer Ka

Kaay-Kaay-e-Sakht-Janeeha-e tanhai na pooch

Subha Karna Shaam ka Lana hai juu-e-Sheer ka

Jazbah-e-Bey-Ikhtiyaar-e Shouk Deykha Chahiye

Sinah-e Shamseer Sey Baahar hai dum Shamsheer Ka

Aagahee Daam-e Shunidan Jis qadar Chaahey Bichhaaye

Mudad aa Anka hai Apney Aalam-e Takreer ka

Baski hoon Ghalib Aseeri Mein Bhi Aatish Zer-e pa

Muu-e Aatish-Deedah Hai Halkah meri Zanjeer ka

English Translation

The image is the cry of whose eloquence

The paper is the cover of each picture

Don’t ask for solitude

Doing the morning is like bringing the evening barley lion

The spirit of uncontrollable passion must be seen

The tail of the sword is out of the c

Jest of the sword

Raise awareness as much as you want

Anga is the claimant of his world of speech

Even in the captivity, I am

under fire

The fire is burning in the circle of the Murree chain

Wali Mohammad Wali

Also known as Wali Dakhani, and the Father of Urdu Poets and Poetry. He is the first one to write and spread the word for Urdu Ghazals. His sense of melodious poems equalised to the capability of Rekhta. He was an amazing romantic writer and his poems showed his love for mystic poetry.

Syed Ahmad Faraz

 

Pakistani Urdu poet is mostly known by his pen name Ahmed Faraz. Faraz started writing poetry when he was in college and his first collection was Tanha Tanha Ghazal collection. Back then, his poems and his wordplay were used by singers. His voice would give more justice to his poetry whenever he recites. Faraz was often in comparison with Faiz.

His usual genre was love though he also showed interest in beauty and nature. Faraz has been highly regarded among the best poets.

Urdu Original

کٹھِن ہے راہگزر، تھوڑی دور ساتھ چلو

بہت کڑا ہے سفر، تھوڑی دور ساتھ چلو

تمام عمر، کہاں کوئی ساتھ ديتا ہے؟

يہ جانتا ہوں مگر، تھوڑی دور ساتھ چلو

نشے ميں چُور ہوں ميں بھی، تمہيں ہوش نہيں

بڑا مزہ ہو اگر، تھوڑی دور ساتھ چلو

يہ ايک شب کی ملاقات بھی غنيمت ہے

کسے ہے کل کی خبر، تھوڑی دور ساتھ چلو

ابھی تو جاگ رہے ہيں چراغ راہوں کے

ابھی ہے دور سحر، تھوڑی دور ساتھ چلو

طوافِ منزلِ جاناں، ہميں بھی کرنا ہے

فراز تم بھی اگر، تھوڑی دور ساتھ چلو

English Translation 

It’s hard to pass, walk a little farther

The journey is very hard, let’s go a little farther

All ages, where does one go?

I know that, but let’s go a little further

I am a drunk thief too, you are not conscious

If it’s fun, go a little farther

This one-night meeting is also a spoil

Who has tomorrow’s news, let’s go a little farther

Right now the lights are on

It’s far from dawn, let’s go a little farther

We also have to perform Tawaf of the destination

Faraz, if you will go a little farther

Parveen Shakir

One of the most famous poets. We can say important also because we all needed a female voice in the middle of all the male ones. It is not very specific when she started writing but it was a very young age when she wrote poems, proses, and articles. She is also known as Beena (her pen name). She used to teach and then she took the place of secretary in civil service. Also, she soon published her book which is read and adored by many, Khushbu.

Ghazliat

Urdu Original 

وہ تو خشبو ہے، ہوائوں میں بکھر جائے گا

مسئلہ پھُول کا ہے، پھُول کدھر جائے گا

 English Translation

He is fragrance, and shall diffuse in the winds,

The trouble lies with the flower, where shall the flower go

Anwar Masood

Anwar Masood’s poetry gives enhancement to habitual activities we do and the things we use daily. Though he liked writing Punjabi poetry more, yet, his Urdu works were as famous as Punjabi and Persian. Everyone glorifies his books and idolize his poetry.

Urdu Original

شام یوں دل کے کنارے سے گزر جاتی ہے

جیسے لکڑی کوئی آرے سے گزر جاتی ہے

میں اسے یاد کی بیساکھیاں لا دیتی ہوں

شب اپاہج ہے سہارے سے گزر جاتی ہے

عشق میں دونوں جہاں اپنے ہی کہلاتے ہیں

بات پھر میرے تمہارے سے گزر جاتی ہے

زندگی جتنی بھی دشوار ہوں راہیں لیکن

آپ کے ایک اشارے سے گزر جاتی ہے

میں نے لوگوں سے سنا ہے کہ وہ پاگل لڑکی

ہنستی رہتی ہے خسارے سے گزر جاتی ہے

میں تجھے دیکھ کے ان دیکھا بھی کر سکتی ہوں

آنکھ مڑتی ہے نظارے سے گزر جاتی ہے

English translation 

The evening thus passes by the edge of the heart

Like wood passing through a saw

I bring him the crutches of remembrance

The night is crippled and passes by

In love, both are called their own

Then my words pass you by

No matter how difficult life may be, but 

Passes one of your hints

I’ve heard people say she’s crazy

Laughing goes through the deficit

I can see you

The eye turns and passes through the view

Urdu Poet Rahat Indori 

Rahat Qureshi later started being famous as Urdu Poet Rahat Indori. He brought a great start to his parent’s new year in 1950. He recited his poetry internationally soon after he finished his PhD in Urdu Literature. Rahat was very fond of Kavi sammelan and performed for more than 30 years.

A sad moment for all of us happened on 11th August 2020 when Rahat Indori died. He and his poetry will be remembered. 

These are some of his Sher which are still read by many-

us kee Yaad aa. ee Hai Saanso Zara Aahist Chhalo Dhadkanon Sai Bhee Ibaadat main Khalal Padta hai na ham-Safar na Kisee ham-

Nasheen Sai Niklaiga Hamaarai Paanv Ka Kaanta Hameen Sai Niklaiga Dostee Jab Kisee sai kee ja.ai

Dushmanon kee Bhee Ra.ai lee ja.ai

Many Urdu poets like Ashfaq Ahmed and Habib Jalib have also taken our heart away. Thank you to every Urdu poet who has made our lives even better from their poetry and love.