Early 20th Century:
* Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949): Known for her lyrical and romantic poetry, often celebrating Indian culture and mythology. Famous poems include "The Golden Threshold" and "The Indian Weavers".
* Toru Dutt (1856-1877): One of the earliest Indian English poets, she explored themes of nature, religion, and the search for identity. Notable poems include "Ancient Mariner" and "The Lotus."
* Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941): Though primarily known for his Bengali writings, Tagore wrote extensively in English, particularly philosophical and devotional poems. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. Famous works include "Gitanjali" and "The Gardener."
* Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950): A philosopher, poet, and revolutionary, he wrote profound philosophical and spiritual poetry, deeply influenced by Indian spirituality.
Mid-20th Century:
* Nissim Ezekiel (1924-2004): Considered one of the most important modern Indian English poets, known for his realistic and often satirical poetry. "Hymn in the Time of the Great Heat" and "A Time to Dance" are notable.
* Arun Kolatkar (1932-2004): A highly experimental poet who incorporated elements of Indian folklore and mythology into his work. Known for his witty and surreal style. "Jejuri" and "The Wind Has Wings" are important works.
* A.K. Ramanujan (1929-1993): A scholar of Indian literature and culture, his poetry explored themes of cultural identity and the human condition. Notable poems include "The St. Thomas Christians" and "Love Poems".
* R. Parthasarathy (1934-1990): A poet deeply engaged with the sociopolitical realities of India. His work explored themes of colonialism, nationalism, and the struggle for identity. "Rough Passage" and "The Taxidermist" are famous poems.
* Jayanta Mahapatra (1937-2021): A poet who explored themes of loss, memory, and the search for meaning. He wrote in a meditative and introspective style. "A Desert Landscape" and "The Other Woman" are well-known works.
Late 20th Century and Beyond:
* Agha Shahid Ali (1949-2001): Known for his elegiac poetry that explored themes of loss, exile, and the complexities of identity. "The Country Without a Post Office" and "The Gift of Good Land" are significant collections.
* Sudeep Sen (1960-present): A contemporary poet known for his exploration of love, nature, and the human condition. His poems are often characterized by their lyricism and evocative imagery. "The Hungry Gods" and "The Glass Kingdom" are notable.
* Imtiaz Dharker (1954-present): A poet who uses her poetry to address issues of gender, social justice, and political conflict. Her work is often characterized by its strength and directness. "The Terrorist and Other Poems" and "Over My Dead Body" are important works.
Other Notable Poets:
* Kamala Das (1934-2009): Known for her confessional and feminist poetry.
* Dilip Chitre (1938-2001): Explored themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition.
* Dom Moraes (1938-2004): A poet who won the Hawthornden Prize for his first collection, "A Choice of Weapons."
* Shanti Gopal (1947-present): Known for his exploration of the Indian landscape and the human condition.
This list is not exhaustive, but it provides a good starting point for exploring the rich and diverse landscape of Indian English poetry. You can find more information about these poets and their works online and in libraries.