Arif Imam

Arif Imam was born on 21 April 1956. Though originally associated with Karachi, he is based in the USA. Over the years he has become known in Urdu literary circles as a poet with a graceful style, particularly in ghazals and couplets. His verses often reflect themes of longing, separation, introspection, and emotional subtlety.

Arif’s poetry combines classical Urdu poetic form with a personal voice suited to modern sensibilities. He writes shers that are concise but emotionally resonant, ghazals that explore romantic or existential emotions, and nazms that allow him to stretch his poetic thought beyond the bounds of traditional forms. His language tends toward clarity and melody rather than heavy ornamentation, which helps his poems find traction with both traditional readers and younger audiences.

His work is shared on major Urdu poetry platforms. On Rekhta he has multiple ghazals and shers; on UrduPoint, many of his pieces are categorized under love, sadness, romantic poetry etc. Though he may not have wide fame comparable to older classical poets, among those who follow Urdu poetry online, his name is well-recognized and his poems are frequently recited.