Anjum Rehbar (also spelled Anjum Rahbar) is a prominent Indian poet, lyricist, and performer known for her work in Urdu and Hindi poetry, particularly ghazals, nazms, and geets. She is celebrated for her emotionally resonant verses and has been a staple in mushairas (Urdu poetry gatherings) and kavi sammelans (Hindi poetry events) for decades.
Early Life and Education
Born: September 17, 1962 (age 63 as of 2026) in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh, India.
She completed her postgraduate studies (Master’s degree) in Urdu Literature.
Career
Anjum Rehbar began participating in mushairas and kavi sammelans in 1977. Over the years, she has recited her poetry on national television channels and various platforms. She is recognized as a leading figure in contemporary Urdu/Hindi poetry, often appearing at major literary events.
She has received several notable awards, including:
• Indira Gandhi Award
• Chitransh Firaq Gorakhpuri Award
• Sahitya Bharti Award
Personal Life
She was previously married to the renowned Urdu poet and Bollywood lyricist Rahat Indori (from 1988 to 1993). They have a son, Sameer Rahat. The marriage ended in separation, but both continued to contribute significantly to Urdu literature.
Notable Aspects
Her poetry often explores themes of love, separation, life, and society, with lines like:
- “Milna tha ittifaq, bichhadna nasib tha” (Meeting was coincidence, separation was fate)
- “Jin ke aangan mein amiri ka shajar lagta hai, unka har aeb zamane ko hunar lagta hai” (For those with a tree of wealth in their courtyard, every flaw seems like talent to the world)
She remains an influential voice in the Indian subcontinent’s Urdu and Hindi literary scene, with performances continuing into recent years.