Poetry Day Special | Know about Lucknow's prominent poets through the ages

Lucknow's allure goes far beyond its picturesque cityscapes, the leisurely pace of life and celebrated cuisine, it is steeped in a literary grandeur that has flourished for centuries. In its golden era, mushairas and kavi sammelans weren’t just gatherings; they were the very heartbeat of the city, much like concerts and open mic nights today.

Lucknow has not only nurtured poets who have enriched India’s literary tapestry but also visionaries whose words sparked revolutions, leaving an indelible mark on scholars, elites, and the commoners alike. So, on this World Poetry Day, we bring you a list of legendary poets from Lucknow -- wordsmiths whose verses still echo across time.

Better known as Akhtar Piya (translates to "beloved star") in the literary world, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was a connoisseur of various forms of art, including theatre, music and literature. Despite the fame, grandeur, respect, and love that came with his royal position as the Nawab of Awadh, he cultivated an identity that was uniquely his own. In the realm of literature, the last Nawab of Awadh was a remarkable poet in his own right.

One striking element in his later works is the deep sorrow expressed over his forced departure from Lucknow following the British annexation of his kingdom in 1856. In one of his poignant shers, he reflects on this anguish, capturing the essence of his grief and longing for his homeland:

"यही तशवीश शब-ओ-रोज़ है बंगाले में,

लखनऊ फिर कभी दिखलाए मुक़द्दर मेरा"

Unfortunately, only few people today know that the legendary clarion call, Inquilab Zindabad ("Long Live the Revolution"), which once ignited the flames of India's freedom struggle, was originally penned by Maulana Hasrat Mohani, in Lucknow.

Among the unsung heroes of this movement, he was not only a revolutionary but also a celebrated poet, freedom fighter and activist. Alongside Swami Kumaranand, he was one of the first to demand complete independence for India at the Ahmedabad Session of the Congress in 1921.

Apart from his role in politics, Maulana Hasrat Mohani was also an accomplished poet. One of his most iconic ghazals, Chupke Chupke Raat Din, immortalised by the legendary Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali, continues to be cherished by lovers of Urdu poetry and cultural music today. Here's the matla (first sher) from the ghazal:

"चुपके चुपके रात दिन आँसू बहाना याद है

हम को अब तक आशिक़ी का वो ज़माना याद है"

There are some poets whose words don’t just stay on the page; they echo in everyday life. Raghuvir Sahay was one of them. His everyday poetry wasn’t about lofty ideals or distant dreams; it was rooted in the here and now, in the language of streets, offices, and newspapers. His verses carried the urgency of news, the clarity of conversation and the sharpness of observation, making his work feel less like poetry and more like a mirror held up to society.

Born in Lucknow in 1929, Sahay wasn’t just a poet but also a journalist and editor, shaping public thought through newspapers and magazines like Navbharat Times, Dinman, Prateek, and other publications. Back then he was also a leading voice of Nayi Kavita (Modern Poetry), a post-Independence movement that stripped poetry of unnecessary embellishment and made it a vehicle for truth. His belief in confronting life in its entirety is best summed up in his own words:

"हम तो सारा का सारा लेंगे जीवन, ‘कम से कम’ वाली बात न हमसे कहिए।”

People often say that no one knew—and could know Lucknow the way Dr. Yogesh Praveen did. It’s no surprise that newspapers referred to him as the "Encyclopedia of Lucknow" time and again. If you’ve ever wandered into one of the city’s old bookstores, you would find shelves upon shelves filled with books written by him about Lucknow’s history, culture, heritage, monuments, people, food, lifestyle, art forms, music and beyond.

Dr. Praveen wholeheartedly dedicated his life to Lucknow. His journey was a relentless pursuit of documenting the city’s cultural grandeur, ensuring that every nuance of its tehzeeb, poetry and past was passed on to future generations. He saw Lucknow not just as a place but as an emotion, a sentiment beautifully captured in his own words:

"लखनऊ है तो महज़ गुम्बद-ओ मीनार नहीं,

सिर्फ एक शहर नहीं, कूचा ओ बाज़ार नहीं,

इसके दामन में मोहब्बत के फूल खिलते हैं,

इसकी गलियों में फरिश्तों के पते मिलते हैं।"

Munawwar Rana, a celebrated Indian poet, was known for his deeply evocative and emotionally resonant poetry, particularly his ghazals that beautifully captured themes of love, loss and familial bonds. His words had a rare simplicity, yet they carried emotions so profound that they felt like a conversation straight from the heart. If you’ve ever come across his nazms or shers on motherhood, you'd know how effortlessly he conveyed the warmth, sacrifices and silent strength of a mother’s love.

But Rana’s poetry isn’t just about emotions; it is also about a place—Lucknow. He played a crucial role in preserving and popularising the poetic and cultural essence of the city. His verses painted vivid pictures of its streets, its old-world charm and the tehzeeb. One of his shers expresses the complexity of the people of Lucknow:

"बड़ी मुश्किल से आते हैं समझ में लखनऊ वाले

दिलों में फ़ासले लब पर मगर आदाब रहता है"

Hina Rizvi Haider - An eminent poet from the city—comes from a family of distinguished writers and has carved her own reputation in Urdu poetry. She is well-known in literary circles and frequently participates in mushairas across India and abroad.

One of her videos, where she recites her nazm about Lucknow, "Kaise batayen kaisa ye pyara hai Lakhnau," went viral on YouTube and other social media platforms, resonating deeply with poetry lovers and capturing the city’s timeless charm.

Himashu Bajpai - Better known as Himanshu Lakhnauwa—is one of Lucknow’s most celebrated and loved personalities. A renowned dastango, he carries forward this rare literary tradition at events across the world, keeping the art form alive for newer generations.

A prominent voice among the youth, he passionately works toward propagating Lucknow’s history, heritage and culture. His literary works on social media, along with his poetry and storytelling, have gained widespread recognition, with several of his compositions going viral and continuing to keep the spirit of Lucknow alive online.

Kena Shree - A widely respected writer from Lucknow, Kena is one of the most prominent literary voices of her generation. With an impressive body of work spanning poetry, articles, essays and storytelling performances—she has carved a niche for herself in the world of literature and domains related to it.

As an author and storyteller, Kena has graced some of India’s most prestigious literary platforms, including Jashn-e-Rekhta, Lucknow Literature Festival, and Women’s Writer Fest -- just to name a few. Her powerful storytelling has struck a chord with audiences, amassing over 25 million views on social media. If you haven’t already, you can explore Kena's captivating world of poetry and storytelling on her YouTube channel.

Zaheen Lakhnavi - Zaheen Lakhnavi or Prakash, as his takhallus suggests, is a young poet emerging from the heart of Lucknow. Gaining recognition through Instagram, he creates diverse content spanning philosophy, linguistics, literature, theology, and more.

A learned scholar of literature, one of his standout contributions is enriching his followers’ understanding of languages, including Urdu, Hindi, and English. Beyond being an educator, Zaheen is also a celebrated poet, actively shaping the modern literary culture of Lucknow while staying rooted in its rich traditions.

With a city so deeply rooted in culture and history, Lucknow’s literary legacy is one that the world continues to recognise and celebrate. Therefore, the list of poets from this city is endless!

So this World Poetry Day, if you have a love for literature, take a moment to explore the works of Lucknow’s legendary poets on Rekhta and Hindwi literature websites, or visit a bookstore to discover their timeless verses. Happy reading!