Ghaus Siwani

In independent India, Muslims also made significant achievements in literature and art. Many of them were known and recognized at the national level, while some established their identity at the international level. While the contributions of Muslims in literature of various languages are worthy of being written about, the contributions of Muslim artists in music, painting and other genres of fine arts have also gained recognition and appreciation at the international level. Here is a list of ten Muslim writers and artists who left their imprint on the pages of history:

Ustad Bismillah Khan

Ustad Bismillah Khan is called the King of Shehnai. He introduced this Indian musical instrument to the world. His personality was a beautiful blend of music, spirituality and culture. He was born in Bihar, but spent most of his life in Banaras (Varanasi).

Credit must go to Ustad Bismillah Khan for popularising Shehnai not only as a traditional, but a classical instrument. He demonstrated his art all over the world. He was the first person to unite the nation with the tunes of his Shehnai on the occasion of India's independence at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947. He is the recipient of the Padma Shri (1961), Padma Bhushan (1968), Padma Vibhushan (1980) and India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna (2001).

Quratul Ain Haider

Qurratul Ain Haider was a short story writer, novelist, and essayist of Urdu literature. She is known as a revolutionary writer in the world of Urdu fiction. Her most famous novel, Aag Ka Darya (1959), is a milestone in Urdu literature. Her books include Safin-e-Gham-e-Dil, Akhar-e-Shab Ke Hamsafar, Chandni Begum, andKar-e-Jahan Daraz Hai. She has been awarded many awards for her works and contributions to literature.

These include the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Gyan Peeth, the Padma Shri (1984), and the Padma Bhushan (2005) posthumously.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of India, was a distinguished writer. His prose displays a quality of knowledge, eloquence, and force of expression that is rarely seen in Urdu literature. He used Arabic and Persian words and phrases skillfully, which gives his writing a high literary color. His prose works include editorials for revolutionary newspapers like Al-Hilal and Al-Balagh, Tazkirah, and especially Ghobar-e-Khater.

Maulana was awarded the Bharat Ratna in recognition of his political, literary, and journalistic services.

Ali Sardar Jafri

Ali Sardar Jafri was a prominent progressive poet, critic, writer, and intellectual of Urdu literature. His poetry resonates with the themes of revolution, peace, brotherhood, and social justice.

His famous works include Nai Duniya Ko Salam, Praja Ka Geet, Mere Khwaab Meri Tareeb, andAman Ka Sitara. He also wrote prose and wrote dialogues for film, TV, and theatre. He was awarded many awards, including the Padma Shri (1967) and the Gyan Peeth Award (1997).

Rehman Rahi

Rehman Rahi is a renowned poet, prose writer and intellectual of Kashmiri language and literature. He played an important role in taking the Kashmiri language to literary heights. He is considered one of the founders of modern Kashmiri poetry. His poetry reflects Sufism, contemporary consciousness, cultural heritage, and socio-political issues.

His famous works include Naw Roz Sahraaye, Siya Rud Jharan Munz andKis Wa Nakh. Rehman Rahi received the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Padma Shri, and in 2007, became the first Kashmiri language poet to receive the Gyan Peeth Award.

MF Hussain

Moqbool Fida Hussain was a great Indian painter and artist of the 20th century. He is considered the founder of modern Indian painting. His works presented traditional Indian themes such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Gandhi, motherly sentiments, women, and horses in a modern style.

His famous works include Mother India, Through the Eye of a Horse, Mother series. He was also awarded the Padma Shri (1966), Padma Bhushan (1973), and Padma Vibhushan (1991)

Ustad Zakir Hussain

Ustad Zakir Hussain is considered the great tabla player of the subcontinent, a musical magician, and a global ambassador of Indian classical music. His tabla playing combines speed, balance, softness, and complexity that sets him apart from others. He has worked with classical, Sufi, jazz, and Western music artists around the world.

The Ustad has received awards including the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), Grammy Awards (multiple times), and Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (2023).

Tayyab Mehta

Tayyab Mehta was a renowned and globally recognized modern Indian painter who gave a new direction to the indigenous art of painting. Tayyab Mehta is one of the painters who created a unique style by combining traditional and modern art. His paintings beautifully depict themes such as contradiction, anguish, and human struggle. His famous works include characters from the Mahabharata, gods and goddesses, broken human bodies, and dual forms.

Tayyab Mehta was awarded the Padma Bhushan and Kali Das Samman in recognition of his art.

Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan

Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan is considered one of the greatest classical singers of the subcontinent. He belonged to the Patiala Gharana, which introduced a unique style in Indian classical music. He sangKhyal, Thumri, and Dadra in a way that would captivate the listener. His voice was a combination of sweetness, depth and spirituality. His singing style was full of charming melodies, soft tones and beautiful delivery.

He was called the king of musical concerts during his time. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan in recognition of his services.

Begum Akhtar

Begum Akhtar, known to the world as the Queen of Ghazal, is one of the most famous classical singers of the subcontinent. Begum Akhtar gave ghazal, thumri, and dadra a place that gave them global recognition. Her voice had such a combination of pain, simplicity, and depth that it touched the heart. She dressed Urdu poetry with her singing in such a way that the ghazal became a special sensation.

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Begum Akhtar was awarded the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in recognition of her artistic services.