He was the recipient of Padma Shri one of the Indian Government’s highest civilian awards. Besides he was awarded the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy Award and the Sahitya Akademi Award for his collection Awaara Sajde, Special Award of Maharashtra Urdu Academy, Soviet Land Nehru Award, Lotus Award from the Afro-Asian Writers’ Association, and President’s Award for national integration. In 1998, Government of Maharashtra conferred the Jyaneshwara Award on him. He was also honoured with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Fellowship for lifetime achievement.
In 2000, he was conferred the first Millennium Award by the Government of Delhi and the Delhi Urdu Academy. He has also been honoured with a doctorate from Vishva Bharati University, Santiniketan.
Sahitya Akademi Award
- 1975: Sahitya Akademi Award: Awara Sajde
- 2002: Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (Immortals of Literature)
National Film Awards
- 1970: National Film Award for Best Lyrics: Saat Hindustani
Filmfare Awards
- 1975:Filmfare Best Dialogue Award: Garam Hawa
- 1975:Filmfare Best Screenplay Award: Garam Hawa (with Shama Zaidi)
- 1975:Filmfare Best Story Award: Garam Hawa (with Ismat Chughtai)
Famous verses
- Aaj ki raat bahut garam hawa chalti hai, Aaj ki raat na neend aayegi Hum sub uthen, main bhi uthun, tum bhi utho Koi khidki isi deewar mein khul jayegi - Makaan
- Tu jo bejaan khilonon se behel jaati hai, Tapti saanson ki haraarat se pighal jaati hai Paaon jis raah mein rakhti hai fisal jaati hai Banke seemaab har ik zarf mein dhal jaati hai Zist ke aahni saanche main dhalna hai tujhe uth meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe… - Aurat (Woman)
- Waqt Ni Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam, Hum Rahe na Hum, tum rahe na tum. - Film Kaagaz Ke Phool 1959
- Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho, Kya gum hai jisko Chupa rahe Ho. - Film Arth (1982)
- Zindeji bhar mujhe nafrat si rahi asko se, Meri khwabo ko tum asko me dubote keu ho?
- Jo meri tarha jia karte hai kab marte hai
- Thak gaya hu mujhe solene do rote keu ho?
- Soke bhi jagte rahte hai janbaz suno.
- keu sazai ho chandan ke chita mere liey
- mai koi jism nahi jalao ge mujhe
- rakh ke saath bikhar jaunga dunia me
- thokar jahan khaogey waha paogey mujhe.
Select bibliography
- Kaifi Azmi- Fan Aur Shaqsiyat (Urdu), Mayar Publications, 2004.
- Kaifiyaat:Kulliyat-e-Kaifi Azmi(URDU)), Educational Publishing House,2003.
- Zehr-e-Ishq (Hindi), Vani Prakashan, 2003.
- Heer Ranjha (Hindi), Vani Prakshan 2003.
- Steel Man was Here, Penguin, 2002.
- Kaifi Azmi- Selected Poems and Life Sketch, Rajpal Publishers, 2002.
- Aaj Ke Prashid Shayar: Kaifi Azmi-Chuni Hui Shayari (Hindi), Rajpal & Sons, 2002.
- Meri Awaz Suno (Hindi), Rajkamal Prakashan, 2002.
- Nai Gulistan Vol.1 (Hindi), Rajkamal Prakashan, 2001.
- Nai Gulistan Vol.2 (Hindi), Rajkamal Prakashan, 2001.
- Doosra Banwas (Hindi), Diamond Pocket Books Pvt. Ltd.
- Awara Sajde (Hindi), Lokbharti Prakashan , 1995.
- Sarmaya (Urdu), Mayar Publications, 1994.
