1911 (Rudauli) – 1955 (Lucknow) • Keats of Urdu
"Known as the 'Keats of Urdu' for his immense talent, romantic rebellion, and tragic early death. Majaz was the ultimate heartthrob of the Aligarh Muslim University crowd. His mesmerizing poem 'Awaara' became the definitive anthem for the restless, unemployed youth of pre-independence India. Sadly, his life was consumed by severe alcoholism and unrequited love, culminating in him tragically freezing to death on the roof of a Lucknow tavern on a winter night. He is the maternal uncle of lyricist Javed Akhtar."