Ali Sardar Jafri

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Ali Sardar Jafri
• Born: November 29, 1913; Balrampur, United Provinces, British India
• Died: August 1, 2000; Mumbai, India
• Profession: Poet, Writer, Critic, Film Lyricist
• Languages Known: Urdu, Hindi, English
• Spouse: Sultana Jafri
• Children: Yes (including daughter, Dr. Shabnam Hashmi)
• Notable Awards: Padma Shri (1967), Jnanpith Award (1997), Iqbal Samman, Soviet Land Nehru Award
• Known For: Progressive poetry, socialist themes, literary criticism, cultural activism

Biography

Ali Sardar Jafri was more than just a poet—he was a voice of resistance, compassion, and change in Urdu literature. A leading figure of the Progressive Writers’ Movement, he used poetry not only to celebrate beauty and love but also to fight against injustice, inequality, and oppression.

Born in Balrampur in 1913, Jafri came from a middle-class family with a deep respect for culture and education. He studied at Aligarh Muslim University, where he became involved in leftist student politics. His political activism led to his expulsion from the university, but it also set the stage for the writer he would become—a poet unafraid of speaking truth to power.

Jafri’s poetry collections, such as Parwaaz, Khoon Ki Lakeer, and Patthar Ki Deewar, blended lyrical beauty with strong social messages. His poems spoke for workers, peasants, and the marginalized. They also reflected his deep belief in communal harmony, especially during the turbulent years around Partition. His verses carried hope that humanity could rise above divisions of caste, creed, and religion.

Alongside poetry, Jafri wrote plays, short stories, and literary criticism. He also entered the world of cinema, writing lyrics for films that became classics. His ability to adapt his literary voice to popular culture ensured that his words reached audiences beyond traditional literary circles.

He was married to Sultana Jafri, his lifelong partner, and they built a family that remained deeply engaged in cultural and social causes. His daughter, Dr. Shabnam Hashmi, went on to become a noted activist.

Ali Sardar Jafri received numerous honors, including the Padma Shri in 1967 and the Jnanpith Award in 1997, one of India’s highest literary prizes. He was also internationally recognized, winning awards from the Soviet Union and other countries for his contributions to literature and cultural exchange.

He passed away in 2000 in Mumbai, but his influence continues. His poetry still echoes in progressive gatherings, literary festivals, and classrooms.

Ali Sardar Jafri’s legacy is one of courage and compassion. He believed poetry could be a tool of transformation, a way to not just reflect society but to reshape it. In every verse, he left behind a call for justice, hope, and humanity.