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Jan Nisar Akhtar (1914-1976) was a distinguished Urdu poet, lyricist, and writer who left an indelible mark on modern Urdu literature and Indian cinema. Born in Gwalior, he came from a literary family and developed his poetic sensibilities at an early age.

Akhtar was known for his progressive ideals and was associated with the Progressive Writers' Movement. His poetry reflected a social consciousness, humanism, and a profound concern for the struggles of ordinary people. He wrote extensively in various forms, including nazms (free verse poems) and ghazals, with themes ranging from love and romance to social justice and political awareness.

In addition to his literary work, Jan Nisar Akhtar made significant contributions to Indian cinema as a lyricist and screenwriter. He penned memorable songs for numerous Bollywood films, bringing poetic elegance to popular cinema. His film lyrics retained the literary quality of his poetry while appealing to a mass audience. His works include several poetry collections, and his writings continue to be celebrated for their lyrical beauty, social relevance, and artistic merit.

He passed away in 1976, leaving behind a rich corpus of work that continues to inspire readers and writers in the Urdu literary world.