Faiz Ahmad Faiz was a Pakistani poet and author of Punjabi and Urdu literature. Faiz was one of the most celebrated, popular, and influential Urdu writers of his time and his works and ideas remain widely influential today in Pakistan and beyond. Outside of literature, he has been described as "a man of wide experience" having worked as a teacher, military officer, journalist, trade unionist, and broadcaster.
Mehdi Hassan Khan known as Mehdi Hassan was a Pakistani ghazal singer and playback singer. Widely considered one of the greatest and most influential figures in the history of ghazal singing, Hassan is referred to as the "Shahenshah-e-Ghazal". Known for his "haunting" baritone voice, Hassan is credited with bringing ghazal singing to a worldwide audience. He is unique for his melodic patterns and maintaining integrity of the ragas in an innovative way.
Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi born Ahmad Shah Awan was an Urdu language Pakistani poet, journalist, literary critic, dramatist and short story author.
The Progressive Writers' Association or the Progressive Writers' Movement of India or Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind or Akhil Bhartiya Pragatishil Lekhak Sangh was a progressive literary movement in pre-partition British India. Some branches of this writers' group existed around the world besides in India, Kashmir and Pakistan
Hasan Abidi was a Pakistani journalist, writer, political activist and an Urdu language poet.
Ashfaq Ahmed was a Pakistani writer, playwright and broadcaster. His works in Urdu included novels, short stories and plays for television and radio of Pakistan. He received the President's Pride of Performance and Sitara-i-Imtiaz awards for his everlasting services in the field of broadcasting and literary heritage of Pakistan.
Qazi Hussain Ahmad was an Islamic scholar, democracy activist, and former Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami, the socially conservative Islamist political party in Pakistan.
Iqbal Bano was a versatile singer who specialized in ghazal from Pakistan. She is popularly known by her honorific title Malika-e-Ghazal(The Queen of Ghazal) in both Pakistan and India. She was known for her semi-classical Urdu ghazal songs and classical thumris, but also sang easy-listening numbers in the 1950s films. In 1974, she became the recipient of the Pride of Performance award.
Syed Ahmad Shah, better known by his pen name Ahmed Faraz, was a Pakistani Urdu poet, scriptwriter and became the founding Director General of Pakistan Academy of Letters. He wrote his poetry under the pseudonym Faraz. He criticised military rule and coup d'état in the country and was displaced by the military dictators.
Josh Malihabadi popularly known as Shayar-e-Inqalab was a one of the finest Urdu poets of the era of British India. Known for his liberal values and challenging the established order, he wrote over 100,000 couplets and more than 1,000 rubaiyat in his lifetime. His wrote Yaadon ki Barat, his autobiography which is noted for its frank and candid style. The first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru held him in high esteem and frequently attended the mushaira at Lala Kishan Lal Kalra's United Coffee House where Josh performed.
Dilawar Figar, was a Pakistani humorist and poet. He was known as Shehansha-e-Zarafat and Akbar-e-Sani for his satire and humour.
Zehra Nigah is a prominent Urdu poet and scriptwriter from Pakistan. She is fondly known as 'Zehra Apa' in the nation. Among the pioneers of poetry by women, Nigah was one of the first Urdu women poets to make their mark in the male dominated field. Nigah's accomplishments especially shone in the domain of mushaira, as she is considered the first female poet to fully participate and make a visible mark in such events. Zehra is an occasional songwriter and scriptwriter too.
The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) is a national academy with its main focus on Pakistani literature and related fields. It is the largest and the most prestigious learned society of its kind in Pakistan, with activities throughout the nation. It was established in July 1976 by a group of renowned Pakistani writers, poets, essayists, playwrights, and translators, inspired by the Académie Française.
Muhammad Ali Siddiqui was a noted scholar of Urdu literature, educationist, literary critic and a newspaper columnist from Pakistan. He was also widely known by his pen name Ariel in Pakistan.
Lutfullah Khan was a collector, archivist, hobbyist and an author from Pakistan. He was best known for his rare collection of voice recordings of renowned artists, poets, writers and other eminent individuals from Pakistan and South Asia.
Kunwar Mohinder Singh Bedi, pen name Sahar, was an Indian Urdu poet. The Times of India called him a "noted Urdu poet".
Naseer Turabi was a Pakistani poet.
Shafi Aqeel was a Pakistani journalist, writer, poet, art critic and translator.
Roohi Bano, was a Pakistani actress who was known for her roles in television dramas Kiran Kahani, Zard Gulab, and Darwaza. She along with Uzma Gillani, Tahira Naqvi and Khalida Riyasat dominated Pakistan's television screens from the 1970s, to the 1990s. She was known as the Queen of Melancholy because of her portrayal of mournful and pessimistic roles in dramas and films.
