Zafar Iqbal

Zafar Iqbal is one of the most innovative and daring voices in contemporary Urdu poetry. Known for reshaping the ghazal into a form that could speak to modern times, he brought freshness, boldness, and experimentation into a tradition that stretched back centuries.

Born in Bijnor in 1932, Zafar Iqbal moved with his family to Pakistan after Partition. His literary journey began early, but he truly found his voice during his years as a student in Lahore. He studied English literature at Government College, a place that nurtured many literary greats. Later, he went on to teach English at colleges in Lahore, which kept him close to both classical literature and modern thought.

What sets Zafar Iqbal apart is his radical approach to the ghazal. While most poets of his era stayed with the classical style, he reimagined its possibilities. He played with language, broke old metaphors, and introduced a raw, modern vocabulary that spoke directly to contemporary readers. His verses often carried irony, satire, and sharp social critique, yet they never lost their lyrical beauty.

His collections, including Ghazal Nama, Abhi Dilli Door Hai, and Harf Harf Haqeeqat, are considered milestones in modern Urdu poetry. He wrote daily columns in Urdu newspapers, blending humor, social commentary, and literary insight. These columns made him a household name beyond literary circles.

In his personal life, Zafar Iqbal was deeply devoted to his wife, Siddiqa Zafar, who supported him through decades of writing. Her death in 2021 was a heavy blow, and he openly spoke about the silence her absence left behind.

Zafar Iqbal’s contribution to Urdu literature has been widely recognized. He has inspired a new generation of poets who see him as a bridge between classical traditions and modern sensibilities. Yet he has always remained humble, often insisting that poetry must evolve with time or it risks becoming irrelevant.

Today, even in his nineties, Zafar Iqbal continues to be a towering figure in Urdu poetry. His ghazals still surprise readers with their originality, while his essays and columns remind people that poetry is not just about beauty, but also about thought and responsibility.

Zafar Iqbal is more than a poet—he is a living chapter of Urdu’s evolution. His words have given the ghazal a new language, a new pulse, and a new life for generations to come.