Syed Ali Raza (Manzar Bhopali) is a modern Urdu poet. He was born in Amravati, Maharashtra. His family moved to Bhopal when he was only a few months old. During his teenage years, Manzar started taking interest in poetry and attended his first Mushaira at the age of 17. Over the course of 3 decades, he has penned more than a dozen books in Hindi and Urdu.

Manzar Bhopali was born on 29th December 1959 in Amrawati, Maharashtra, India. He is the third of 4 children. His father, Mir Abbas Ali Rizvi, worked in art and literature. He was also a poet. His mother, Tahira Nikhat was a teacher.

In a career spanning three decades, Manzar has recited his poems in thousands of Mushairas in 5 continent and more than 30 countries. He has published several books, in Urdu, Hindi, and English.

Manzar has been honored with several awards, both in India and Abroad. He was given the honorary citizenship of Louisville, Kentucky and was felicitated with the key to the city.