1913 (Balrampur) – 2000 (Mumbai) • Progressive Leader
"A central pillar of the Progressive Writers' Movement in India and a recipient of the prestigious Jnanpith Award. Ali Sardar Jafri was a fierce anti-imperialist who was jailed multiple times for his activism against British rule. He vigorously defended the idea that literature must serve a social purpose, editing the influential literary journal 'Guftagu' and leaving behind a legacy of politically charged, majestic free verse."