Biography of Firaq Gorakhpuri


(August 28, 1896 - March 3, 1982)


iraq Gorakhpuri was a great poet. He was born on August 28, 1896. Firag was taught Urdu and Persian at home. He passed his matriculation from Government Jubilee School. After graduation he joined the freedom struggle. He was jailed for a year. Later he was appointed as a lecturer of English at the Allahabad University.


Gorakhpuri had begun composing ghazals and nazms at the age of 15. He joined the Progressive Writer's Movement. At that time he composed some poems promoting the socialist and progressive values,

Ghazal was his forte. His ghazals are deeply rooted in sensuousness. His most celebrated collections of poetry are 'Roop', 'Rooh-e-Kaayanaat’ and ‘Gul-e-Naghma'.


Gorakhpuri was well-versed in Persian, Urdu, Hindi and Sanskrit. He was also a teacher of English literature. He was honoured with the Sahitya Academy Award for his collection "Gul-e-Naghma'. In 1969, he was given the Jnanpith Award. He died on March 3, 1982.