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Rumi was a Persian poet and Sufi mystic whose spiritual legacy has been attracting praises for the past 800 years! Often described as the best-selling and most popular poet in the US, Rumi's poems are widely read today in many countries. His poetry has influenced the literary traditions of many languages, such as Pashto, Urdu, Chagatai, and Ottoman Turkish.
Lal Shahbaz Qalandar was a Sufi poet and saint of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Revered by the Sindhi population, Shahbaz is credited with helping many people convert to Islam. A profound scholar of religions, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is viewed as a holy figure in Sindh as it is believed that he performed many miracles during his time.
Afghan poet and journalist Nadia Anjuman published her first poetry collection, Gol-e Dudi, or Smokey Flower, when she was 25. Soon after the release of her book, she was beaten to death. It is largely believed that she was killed by her husband though the death was officially declared a suicide later.
Remembered as the Mother of the Afghan Nation, Nazo Tokhi, or Nāzo Anā, was an Afghan poetess and writer who wrote in Pashto language. She was the mother of the Hotak dynasty Afghan ruler Mirwais Hotak. She defended her fortress valiantly when her brother went to war after her father’s death in combat.
Afghan singer, composer, and poet Amir Jan Sabori was covered in the documentary Golden Dream. The musician from Herat went on a long hiatus, before returning to the world of music with the 2005 album Zindagi Hameen Ast, or This Is Life. Afghan singer Tawab Arash is his nephew.
Afghan Pashtun musician, singer, and composer Awalmir specialized in ghazals and performed for the first time at age 18. He later sang on Afghan radio and was also bestowed with the honorific title of Ustad. His best-known songs include Da Zamong Zeba Watan, or Our Beautiful Homeland.
Afghan Tajik author, poet, artist, and playwright Youssof Kohzad is known for his works such as When God Created Beauty. Educated in art in Italy, he later traveled to places such as Russia and India, to showcase his works. He later moved to India as a refugee and then settled in the US.
Afghan author Sayyida Makhfi-Badakhshi wrote under the pseudonym Makhfi Badakhshi. She was an influential poet but couldn’t use her real name to write for fear of being attacked by extremists. She was known for her ghazals and is remembered for her works such as On Sayyida.
