Shariq Kaifi

Shariq Kaifi (Syed Shariq Hussain, born 1961) is a prominent contemporary Urdu poet known for his distinctive contribution to both ghazal and nazm. Born in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, he belongs to a literary family and is the son of renowned Urdu poet Kaifi Wijdani. His poetry is recognised for its seemingly simple language, deep observation, emotional intelligence, and carefully crafted expression. Shariq Kaifi's poetry moves beyond conventional romantic themes to explore human relationships, love, friendship, betrayal, loneliness, self-awareness, social realities, and the complexities of everyday life. His nazms are particularly noted for their ability to look at ordinary experiences from an unusual perspective, while his ghazals combine contemporary thought with the traditional strengths of Urdu poetic expression. His first collection of ghazals, Aam Sa Radd-e-Amal, was published in 1989, followed by Yahan Tak Raushni Aati Kahan Thi in 2008 and the nazm collection Apne Tamashe Ka Ticket in 2010. His later collection Dekho Kya Kya Bhool Gaye Hum was published in 2019.