HUSSAIN HAIDRY, 32
Urdu poet and lyricist

Writing poetry is a calling. Who better to tell you this than Hussain Haidry, who, last February, struck a deep chord with the nation after he recited his poem, Hindustani Musalman at The Storytellers Workshop organised by Kommune at Encompass, Andheri.

A native of Indore, Haidry's two-page poem catapulted him into the spotlight of Urdu poetry circles in India after it went viral. His immaculate and gentle recital said something simple but powerful — Muslims in India are no less Hindustani than the person sporting a saffron headband.