Famous Personalities of Uttar Pradesh

Famous Personalities

Amitabh Bachchan

• Amitabh Bachchan was born on October 11, 1942, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
• He started his career in the film industry in the late 1960s and became one of the most popular actors in India in the 1970s and 1980s.
• Bachchan has acted in over 200 Indian films in a career spanning more than five decades. His notable films include Sholay, Deewar, Zanjeer, Amar Akbar Anthony, Kabhi Kabhie, Don, and Black.
• He has won numerous awards for his acting, including the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Bachchan has also worked as a television host and hosted several seasons of the Indian version of the television game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (Kaun Banega Crorepati).
• In addition, Besides his work in films and television, Bachchan has been involved in several social causes and appointed as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations.
• Bachchan was awarded the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015, some of India’s highest civilian honours.
• Despite facing health challenges in recent years, Bachchan remains active in the film industry and is regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema.

V.P. Singh

• Vishwanath Pratap Singh, popularly known as V.P. Singh, was an Indian politician and the 7th Prime Minister of India. He was born on June 25, 1931, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
• Singh started his political career as a member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1958, but later joined politics and became a member of the Indian National Congress party.
• He served in various government positions, including Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Defence.
• In 1987, Singh became the Prime Minister of India, heading a coalition government formed by the Janata Dal and other parties.
• During his tenure, he introduced several economic and social reforms, including implementing the Mandal Commission recommendations, which provided reservations in education and government jobs for people from socially and educationally backward classes.
• Singh’s government was also responsible for launching Operation Black Thunder to flush out terrorists from the Golden Temple in Amritsar in 1988.
• Singh resigned as Prime Minister in 1990 after the Congress party withdrew its support to his government.
• He continued to be involved in politics and was instrumental in forming the Jan Morcha, a political party that later merged with the Janata Dal.
• Singh was known for his integrity and commitment to social justice. He was also a writer and authored several books, including a memoir titled “Memoirs of a Wanderer”.
• Singh passed away on November 27, 2008, at 77. He is remembered as a leader who worked to empower the marginalised sections of society and bring about social and economic reforms in India.

Pandit Ravi Shankar

• Pandit Ravi Shankar was born on April 7, 1920, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
• He was trained in classical Indian music by his guru Allauddin Khan, a renowned musician and composer.
• Shankar was known for his innovative approach to music, and his collaboration with Western musicians helped popularise Indian classical music worldwide.
• He performed at several international music festivals, including the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and the Woodstock Festival in 1969.
• Shankar also composed music for several films, including Satyajit Ray’s “Pather Panchali” and Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi”.
• In addition to his music career, Shankar was a humanitarian and worked to promote peace and understanding between cultures. He was appointed as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, in 1986.
• Shankar received several awards and honours for his contributions to music, including the Padma Vibhushan and the Bharat Ratna, some of the highest civilian honours in India.
• Shankar passed away on December 11, 2012, at 92.

Majrooh Sultanpuri

• Born in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh as Asrar ul Hassan Khan, Majrooh Sultanpuri was one of the finest Indian Urdu poets along with being a lyricist and songwriter in Bollywood (with a career spanning six decades).
• He was one of the dominating musical forces in Indian Cinema in the 1950s and early 1960s, receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement in 1993 – making him the first lyricist to win.

Dhyan Chand

• Born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, in a Rajput family, Major Dhyan Chand was a former international hockey player and a legendary figure in Indian and world hockey.
• He is best remembered for his extraordinary goalscoring feats & three Olympic gold medals. He is often called “Hockey ka Jadugar” (Magician of the Hockey game). His birthday, 29th August, is celebrated as National Sports Day.
• Major Dhyan Chand was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956.
• In 2021, the government of India renamed the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award to honour him.

Ustad Bismillah Khan

• Born in Dumraon, Bihar, Bismillah Khan’s family moved to Varanasi when he was still a child and grew up there.
• He is often referred to by the title Ustad, meaning a musical expert.
• He is often credited with popularising the Shehnai and bringing it to the concert stage.
• He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1961, the Padma Bhushan in 1968, the Padma Vibhushan in 1980 & the Bharat Ratna in 2001.

Mirza Ghalib

• Mirza Ghalib, the renowned Urdu and Persian poet of the 19th century, holds immense importance in the realm of literature and cultural heritage. His profound impact can be attributed to several factors.
• Mirza Asadullah Khan “Ghalib” was born in Agra on 27 December 1797. His ancestors belonged to the family of army men from Samarkand in central Asia who came to India to serve the prevalent dynasties and later served the British.
• Ghalib’s poetry showcases a remarkable depth of emotions, capturing the complexities of human existence. His verses delve into themes such as love, loss, existentialism, and the tumultuous nature of life. Ghalib’s ability to express profound thoughts and intricate emotions with brevity and eloquence has made his poetry timeless.
• Ghalib’s works have significantly influenced subsequent generations of poets and writers. His mastery of language, innovative use of metaphors, and unique style of expression have set the standards for Urdu poetry. Ghalib’s poetry serves as a rich source of inspiration and continues to shape the literary landscape.
• Ghalib’s writings offer a glimpse into his time’s social and cultural milieu.His observations on society, politics, and human nature reflect the challenges and aspirations of the era. Through his poetry, Ghalib provides valuable insights into the intricacies of the Mughal era and the transition to British colonial rule.

Actors

• Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Nawazuddin Siddiqui (born 1974) also known as Nowaz is an Indian film actor who has appeared in some of Bollywood’s major films including, Black Friday (2004), New York (2009), Peepli Live (2010), Kahani (2012), Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) and Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 (2012). Early life and education Nawazuddin Siddiqui is from Budhana a small town of Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh…
• Mandakini: Attractive, talented, young Mandakini won the hearts of millions of Indians worldwide in her performance in “Ram Teri Ganga Melli”. Thereafter her name was a household name. She starred with Mithun Chakraborty in another hit movie “Dance Dance” which won many accolades for her. Since her other passion was singing…
• Ravi Shankar: Ravi Shankar was a world-renowned musician, composer, performer, and scholar of classical Indian music. He was one of the leading cultural figures of the twentieth century whose accomplishments placed him as the leading figure of an important musical tradition. His long and distinguished musical career included numerous recordings…
• Naseeruddin Shah: Actor, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
• Jimmy Shergill: Shergill was born in a Sikh family in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. He moved to Punjab, the place of his ancestors, in 1985 where he studied in Yadavindra Public School, Patiala and Bikram College Patiala. He learnt acting from Sri Harpal Singh, and then moved to Mumbai to work in the entertainment industry. He’s married to Priyanka Puri from Delhi and they have a son named Veer Shergill
• Lara Dutta: It is not a secret that Lara Dutta is a beauty with brains. This was demonstrated when she scored the highest possible marks in the history of the Miss Universe Contest. After this she was crowned Miss Universe 2000, making history as not only the most beautiful but also the most intelligent young woman to wear this crown in the history of Miss Universe…
• Sahibzadi Zohra: Sahibzadi Zohra Begum Mumtaz-ullah Khan, better known as Zohra Sehgal, was born into a Sunni Muslim Rohilla Pathan family of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, on 27th April, 1912 in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India. However, unlike most other children of traditional households, Zohra Sehgal was a tomboy, who enjoyed climbing trees and playing games

Sports Personalities

Uttar Pradesh, a populous and diverse state in India, has produced several famous sports personalities. Here are some notable sports personalities from Uttar Pradesh:

• Suresh Raina: Suresh Raina is a renowned Indian cricketer from Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. He has been a key member of the Indian national cricket team, known for his aggressive batting style and exceptional fielding skills. Raina has played a significant role in India’s success in limited-overs cricket, including winning the ICC World Cup in 2011.
• Praveen Kumar: Praveen Kumar, born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, is a former Indian cricketer known for his swing bowling skills. He represented India in both Test matches and One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Praveen Kumar was vital to the Indian team, particularly in the limited-overs format.
• Mohd. Kaif: Mohammad Kaif is a former Indian cricketer born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. He is best remembered for his match-winning knock in the final of the NatWest Series against England in 2002. Kaif was an excellent fielder and a reliable middleorder batsman during his cricketing career.
• Ashish Kumar: Ashish Kumar is an artistic gymnast from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. He became the first Indian gymnast to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal in the men’s floor exercise event at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
• Pankaj Singh: Pankaj Singh is a professional cricketer from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. He is a rightarm medium-fast bowler who has represented the Indian cricket team at the international level. Pankaj Singh has consistently performed in domestic cricket and has been a vital part of the Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy team.
• Akhil Kumar: Akhil Kumar is a boxer from Uttar Pradesh who represented India in the sport. He won a gold medal in the bantamweight category at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Kumar also participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and contributed significantly to Indian boxing.
• Manoj Kumar: Manoj Kumar is an Indian boxer from Uttar Pradesh. He represented India in the welterweight category and won a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Kumar has also participated in the Olympic Games, making notable contributions to Indian boxing.
• Sushil Kumar: Sushil Kumar is a freestyle wrestler who was born in Uttar Pradesh. He is one of India’s most successful wrestlers, winning multiple medals at the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. Kumar was the first Indian wrestler to win a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
• Virendra Singh: Virendra Singh is a former Indian field hockey player from Uttar Pradesh. He represented India in international competitions and was part of the team that won a gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Singh’s contributions to Indian hockey have been significant.
• Syed Hyder Ali (born 4 August 1943 in Allahabad) is a former Indian first-class cricketer who played for the Railways cricket team. In his 25-year career, he became one of the most prolific bowlers in the history of the Ranji Trophy.
• Ankit Tiwari (born 18 September 1989) is an Indian cricketer. He made his Twenty20 debut for Uttar Pradesh in the 2012-13 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on 17 March 2013.

Uttar Pradesh has been the home of several accomplished sportswomen who have made significant contributions to their respective sports. Here are some famous sports women personalities from Uttar Pradesh:

• Garima Chaudhary (born April 2, 1990, in Meerut) is an Indian judoka. She represented India as the country’s sole judoka in the Women’s (63 kg) category at the 2012 London Olympics.
• Nuzhat Parween is a cricketer from Uttar Pradesh, a wicketkeeper-batter and has represented Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket. Parween has also been a part of the Indian women’s cricket team and has played in international matches.
• Annu Raj Singh (born 17 February 1984) is an Indian shooter from Aligarh. She and Heena Sidhu won the gold medal in women’s Pairs 10-metre air pistol at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, she competed in both the 10-metre air pistol and the 25-metre pistol.
• Jaya Sharma (born 17 September 1980 in Ghaziabad) is an Indian cricketer who has played one women’s test match and 77 women’s one-day internationals, including the 2005 Women’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa. Sharma was the first female recipient of the BCCI Player of the Year award (2007). 138* vs Pakistan Women at Karachi 2005-06 is still the highest score among Indian women in Women’s ODIS

Writers

• Bhagwati Charan Verma was born on 30 August 1903 in Safipur, Uttar Pradesh, India, where he received his early education. He also spent some years living with his extended family at the ancestral home in Patkapur.
• Bekal Utsahi was a former member of Rajya Sabha. In 1976 he received the Padmashree Award in literature. 1 June 1924 Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Musician

• Abhijeet: Abhijeet was born as Abhijeet Bhattacharya, in a middle-class Bengali family from Kanpur (UP). His parents were against his singing but Abhijeet went against his parent’s wishes to become a singer. In Kanpur his family members were all musical, and educated professionals. Money was never a contextual concern.

Politician

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born to Krishna Devi and Krishna Bihari Vajpayee on 25 December 1924 in Gwalior. His grandfather, Pandit Shyam Lal Vajpayee, had migrated to Morena, Gwalior from his ancestral village of Bateshwar, Uttar Pradesh.
• Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India and a central figure in Indian politics before and after independence. Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14 November 1889 in Allahabad in British India. His father, Motilal Nehru (1861–1931), a wealthy barrister who belonged to the Kashmiri Pandit community, served twice as President of the Indian National Congress during the Independence Struggle.
• Yogiraj Bharat Bhushan (born 30 April 1952) is an Indian yoga guru and honoured by Padma Shri for literature and education in 1991. Born at Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), Bharat Bhushan is the first recipient of the coveted “Padmashri Award” given by the President of India for his contribution to yoga.

Historical Personalities

Gautama Buddha

• The founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha, was born in Lumbini, 563 BC, in the house of King Shroudhan of Ikshvaku Kshatriya  Shakyakul.
• His mother’s name was Mahamaya which was from the Koli dynasty
• His wife’s name was Yashodhara and the son’s name was Rahul.
• After the harsh practice of the years, he got knowledge under Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya (Bihar), he gave his first sermon in Sarnath, which is called the Dramaprabartak Chakra
• In 483 BC at 80 years of age died (Mahaparinirvana) in Kushinagar Uttar Pradesh.

Banabhatta

• Banabhatta was a writer and poet of Sanskrit prose of the seventh century.
• He was the poet during King Harshvardhan’s reign (606 BC to 646 BC).
• His two major works are Harshacharitam and Kadambari.

Ziauddin Barani

• Ziauddin Barani was a historian and political thinker who lived in India during the time of Muhammad bin Tughlaq and Feroz Shah Tughlaq.
• ‘Tarike Phorozshahi’ is his famous historical work.  Ziauddin Barani was born in the Syed family in 1285 AD.
• Ziauddin was a resident of Baran (modern Bulandshahr), so he used to add Barni in his name.
• He died in 1357 AD.

Amir Khusro 

• His real name was – Abul Hassan Yemenuddin Muhammad.
• Amir Khusro was born in the Patiali village (Kasganj) in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district in 1253. 
• He was a Persian poet and used writing in Hindavi.
• He used to call himself parrot-e-Hind.
• He is credited with the invention of the Khadi Boli.  

Abul Fazal

• He was born on 14 January 1551 in Agra.
• Abul Fazl was the second son of Sheikh Mubarak Nagori.
• His two compositions are Akbarnama and Nayne Akbari.
• In 1602, Bundela king Veerasinghadeo killed Abul Fazl by provoking Prince Salim.

Birbal

• Birbal was one of the Navaratnas in the court of Mughal emperor Akbar.
• Birbal’s satirical stories and poetry compositions made him famous.
• Birbal was born in 1528 AD in the city of Kanpur, in ‘Trikikampur’, ie, in Tikwapur.
• Birbal had adopted the Din-i-Elahi religion. He died in 1586 AD.

Kabir Das

• Saint Kabirdas was a famous poet of Hindi literature, though his poems, Dohe criticized many ill practices prevalent in society.
• He was born in 1425 AD in Varanasi.
• He was raised by Neelu-Neema.
• His main composition is Sakhi, Sabad, Ramani.

Tulsidas

• He is considered one of the best poets of the Hindi language He was born in 1552 in Rajapur, Uttar Pradesh.
• His master’s name was Narharidas.
• His main works include Ramcharitmanas, Vinayastika, Dahavali, Kavitavali, Hanuman Chalisa, Vairagya Sandeepani, Janaki Mangal, Parvati Mangal etc. He died in 1680.

Surdas

• Surdas was a poet of Hindi literature, was born in 1478 AD. He is said to be blind by birth.
• His main compositions are Saurasagar, Surasaravali, Sahitya Lahari His master’s name was Balbhacharya He died in 1583.

Ustad Bismillah Khan

• Bismillah Khan was born on March 21, 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar.
• Famous Shehnai maestro honored with ‘Bharat Ratna’ (2001)
• Bismillah Khan was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1956.
• He was also honored with the Tansen Award by the Government in Madhya Pradesh.
• He died on August 21, 2006.

Famous personalities can have a significant impact on the overall development of a region like Uttar Pradesh through their engagement and influence. Here are a few ways famous personalities can contribute to Uttar Pradesh:

• Economic and Infrastructure Development: Famous personalities, especially those from the business and entertainment sectors, can invest in industries, set up businesses, roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure and promote economic growth. Their presence and investments can attract more investments and create job opportunities, leading to economic development in the state.
• Social Initiatives: Well-known personalities often engage in social initiatives and philanthropy. They can contribute to social welfare programs, support education and healthcare initiatives, and work towards uplifting marginalized communities. Their involvement can bring attention to critical social issues and inspire others to contribute.
• Tourism Promotion: Uttar Pradesh has iconic tourist destinations, such as the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, and Ayodhya. Famous personalities can use their influence to promote tourism in the state, attracting more visitors and generating revenue. This, in turn, can boost the local economy and encourage the development of infrastructure and services in the tourism sector.
• Cultural Preservation: Uttar Pradesh has a rich cultural heritage, including art, music, dance, and literature. Famous personalities can be crucial in preserving and promoting this cultural heritage. They can support local artists, promote traditional art forms, and encourage cultural exchange, which can contribute to the state’s overall development.
• Educational Advancement: Renowned personalities can contribute to the educational sector by establishing schools, colleges, and vocational training centres. They can provide scholarships, mentorship programs, and educational resources to empower the youth of Uttar Pradesh. Such initiatives can enhance educational opportunities and contribute to developing a skilled workforce.

It’s important to note that while famous personalities can contribute significantly, overall development requires a collective effort involving government, businesses, civil society, and the general population. The sustained progress of Uttar Pradesh relies on a comprehensive approach that addresses various sectors and engages multiple stakeholders.