Team 2014

Padma Bhushan Gopaldas Neeraj is considered to be as the best known poets and authors in Hindi literature as on date. He wrote more than 100 songs and heart-touching musical utterances for Hindi films in a period of flirting with the make believed celluloid industry. He is one of the best example of the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, where he also mixed both the languages to produce a masterpiece. Creative writings of unparalleled brilliance flowed freely from his mighty pen. After five decades of relentless writing, he occupies the pinnacle of fame and is the poet laureate of India !

One of the most talented person Lucknow has given to the world of literature in recent times. He has been a contemporary of Majaz Lucknawi, Sahir Ludhianwi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Firaq Gorakhpuri, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaifi Azmi and many other progressive writers, as his career began as the secretary of the student federation of the Progressive Writers Association. He has worked at significant positions in the Department of Indian languages in various universities. Also served as the Principal Publication Officer in the Education Ministry of the Central Government.

Direct descendant of the last king of Awadh Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Lives in Kolkata, where he is operating a school. Well versed in Hindi, Urdu, English & Bengali languages. He has a deep sense of belonging to the city of Lucknow and is an embodiment of Lucknowi Tehzeeb. He is a living persona of everything which Lucknow stands for !

Lucknow’s very own eclectic gentleman with an array of interests from Cinema, Painting, Music, Fashion Designing, Sufism, Social Work; there is a constant quest to unravel the mysteries of life and to find a long-term solution to worldly strife and anguish. Padma Shri Muzaffar Ali has directed legendary films like Umrao Jaan, Anjuman, Gaman, etc to his credit. His interest in Sufism has lead to the Musical Performance Jahan-e Khusrau, a tribute to the Sufism. His recent book ‘The Leaf Turns Yellow’ is an omnibus on the Sufi traditions in India and more specifically in Awadh.

Founder of the Lucknow Society which is a non profit organisation dedicated to the cause of preservation as well as promotion of Culture & Heritage of Lucknow. The objective is to make every citizen a proud associate of unique Lucknawi Tehzeeb. The Society is committed to highlight and relive the events that throw light on the glorious past of the city and pays tribute to its bygone heroes in the field of Arts, Crafts, Heritage, Literature, etc. Post Graduate in Commerce, whereas expert of Digital Marketing. Photography is a passion and Literature is a hobby !

President of ‘Lucknow First’ Society, a society for socio-economic and cultural development of LUCKNOW CITY. Great grandson of Munshi Newal Kishore, father of Paper and publishing industry in south Asia. He is member RAC of ICCR ( MEA ), President Uttar Pradesh Films Chamber of Commerce, Chief Trustee of Meher Bhargava Foundation, Chairman India International Youth Film Festival. Mr Bhargava was also ex officio member of UP State Film development Council and is the only unanimously elected president of the Old Martinian Associations (by international fraternity of Old Martinians, on the occasion of Sesquicentennial celebration in 1996)

'Lucknow Hum Par Fida Hai, Hum Fida-e Lucknow'. MBA from Aligarh Muslim University, Marketing Professional as Career who has worked with prominent Brands like Percept Hakuhodu Advertising, Hindustan Times, Reliance Communications, Uninor, MTS. Numerous articles have been published in newspapers and magazines. Literature is the zeal of life and Urdu as well as Persian languages are the passions !

True representative of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb of Lucknow. He prefer to call himself 'Kavi-Shayer of Hindi-Urdu' languages. Very popular on stage for his poetry and stories. Awarded numerous times for his contributions in literature, which he also inherited from his family ! Well versed in 4 languages Hindi, Urdu, Awadhi & English. He is the only poet from India who has recited poetry as well as speech in parliament of Sri Lanka !

Lucknow born author and journalist; she has taught Islam related topics at the University of Vienna, Austria and at the Vienna American Webster University. She is the author of The Book of Muhammad, The Book of Muinuddin Chishti and The Book of Nizamuddin Aulia, all published by Penguin India. Mehru has filed extensively for the Indian media from Europe and Indonesia, including television and reported for the BBC. Her 50 minute documentary film on Shahrukh fans in Europe called Mr Khan Vienna Loves You was screened at Shahrukh Khan and Global Bollywood, an international conference hosted by the University of Vienna in 2010.

He is also the founder General Secretary of Lucknow First society, an organisation for better Town Planning and Environment friendly Lucknow. Co-Founder of Centre for Objective Research and Development (CORD). CORD is established to collect data and information to corroborate the decline in the socio-economic condition amongst the deprived section of the Indian society of which Muslims form the largest chunk in this part of the northern India.

Associated with theatre for the last 30 years and have done about 100 different plays. Worked with the likes of Habib Tanveer, to promote theatre in Lucknow. President for Theatre Group Actors. Directed and acted as a lead in a play Bahadur Shah Zafar, Taj Mahotsava. Acted as Majaz in two films for DD & Zee TV. Panel of Judges for cultural inter university meets AIU (Association of Indian Universities). Festival Director for IIYFF (India International Youth Festival) in Delhi. Associated with ëLucknow Firstí since inception.

Professor of Education, former Head & Dean of Education Deptt, Lucknow University. M.Sc. Botany, MA Philosophy, M.Ed. & Ph.D. in Education, he is intellectual and educationist with a heart of a teacher. Scholar of International repute and associated with numerous universities and educational organisations !

Historian par excellence, the most reputed name for the history of Awadh. Author of 14 books and more than 40 research papers on Awadh. Written and directed more than 20 plays. He is perfectly awarded with 'Shaan-e Awadh' for which he deserves equally! Lucknow lives in him!