By Andalib Akhter
In a rare gesture towards Urdu literature, Google today dedicated a special doodle to famous Urdu writer Abdul Qavi Desnavi on his birth anniversary November 1
Abdul Qavi Desnavi was an Indian Urdu language writer, critic, bibliographer, and linguist. He has written many books on Urdu literature. His important work was about Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mirza Ghalib and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Desnavi was born on November 1 1930 in village Desna of Asthawan block of Nalanda in Bihar to the family of Muslim scholar Sulaiman Nadvi, who claimed to be descended from and who was a recognized historian and biographers of the prophet Muhammad. Desnavi was the son of Syed Mohammed Saeed Raza, who was Professor of Urdu, Arabic and Persian languages in St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Desnavi had two brothers,elder Prof. Syed Mohi Raza and younger Syed Abdul Wali Desnavi.
Many scholars, poets and teachers of today were his students in Bhopal, and several other students obtained PhD degree under his guidance. He died on 7 July 2011 in Bhopal.
Prof. Desnavi has authored more than 50 books on Urdu literature & also his book translated in different Indian languages other than English language. His specialization was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mirza Ghalib, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Bhopal. He was recipient of several awards. He received Senior Fellowship from the Union Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. His great treatise was a voluminous book on one of India’s frontline freedom fighter and first Union Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad over 900 pages titled “Hayat-e-Abul Kalam Azad” which he penned in the year 2000. It was acclaimed nationally and internationally.
Prof. Desnavi had his primary education in Arrah town of Bihar state. After completing his Graduation & Post Graduation in First Division from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, he joined Urdu Department of Urdu in Saifia Post Graduate College in February 1961. He rose to become Professor and Head of the Urdu Department of Saifia College and became well-known literary figure at the all India level in the Urdu world. He retired in 1990.
He was also holding many Honorary positions as follows.
1. Additional Principal of Saifia Post Graduate College, Bhopal.(1983–1985)
2. Secretary of Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy, Bhopal (1991–92)
3. Elected Member Majlis E Aam Anjuman Taraqqui Urdu (Hind), New Delhi (1979–1984
4. Member of All India Anjuman Taraqui Urdu Board, New Delhi (1977–1978)
5. Member of Program Advisory Committee, All India Radio, Bhopal (1978–1979)
6. Member Executive Council, Barkatullah University Bhopal (1980–1982)
7. Chairman of Board of Studies,Urdu, Persian & Arabic, Barkatullah University Bhopal (1977–1980) & (1984–1985)
8. Dean Faculty of Arts, Barkatullah University Bhopal (1980–1982)
9. Member Working Committee, Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal
Awards
1. Senior Fellowship, Ministry of Education & Culture, Government Of India for 4 Years
2. Awarded Sanad “Imteyaz Meer” All India Meer Academy, Lucknow
3. Nawab Siddique Hasan Khan Provincial Award, Bhopal
4. Bihar Urdu Academy Award, Bihar (1988–89) & (1989–90)
5. All India “Parvez Shahidi Award” West Bengal Urdu Academy, Calcutta
Awards on Books
1. Sat Tahriren, Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, Lucknow (1975)
2. Uneesween Sadi Mein Iqbal, Bihar Urdu Academy, Patna (1977)
3. Motala-E-Khotoot Ghalib, Bihar Urdu Academy, Patna (1979)
4. Motala-E-Ghobar-E-Khatir, Bihar Urdu Academy, Patna (1981)
5. Iqbaliat Ki Talash, Bihar Urdu Academy, Patna (1984)
6. Abul Kalam Azad Academy, Bihar Urdu Academy, Patna (1987)
7. Yadgar—E—Suleman, Maghribi Bengal Urdu Academy, Calcutta (1984)
Books Published
Research And Critical Work
1. Ek Aur Mashriqi Kutub Khana, Publisher, Jamiat Tulba, Desna, (1954)
2. Hasrat Ki Siyasi Zindagi, Publisher, Jamiat Tulba, Desna, (1956)
3. Allama Iqbal Bhopal Mein, Publisher, Dept. of Urdu Saifia College,Bhopal (1967)
4. Bhopal Aur Ghalib, Publisher, Dept. of Urdu Saifia College,Bhopal (1969)
5. Nuskha-E-Bhopal Aur Nuskha-A-Bhopal Sani, Publisher, Dept. of Urdu Saifia College, Bhopal (1970)
6. Ek Shahar Panch Mushahir, Publisher, Naseem Book Depot, (1973)
7. Motala—E—Khotoot—E—Ghalib (1975) (Edition 2nd) (1979)
8. Sat Tahriren, Publisher, Naseem Book Depot, (1975)
9. Talash-O—Taasur, Publisher, Naseem Book Depot, (1977)
10. Mehdi Hassan Efadi, Publisher, Naseem Book Depot, (1977)
11. Iqbal Uneesween Sadi Mein, Publisher, Naseem Book Depot, (1977)
12. Iqbal Aur Dilli, Publisher Nai Awaz Jamia Nagar New Delhi (1978)
13. Motala-E-Ghobar-E—Khatir, Publisher Nai Awaz Jamia Nagar New Delhi(1981)
14. Iqbal Aur Darul Iqbal Bhopal, Publisher, Naseem Book Depot, (1983)
15. Iqbaliat Ki Talash, Makataba Jamia, (1984)
16. Iqbaliat Ki Talash, Publisher, Globe Publishers, Urdu Bazar Lahore, Pakistan (1985)
17. Abul Kalam Azad Urdu, Publisher Sahitya Akademi(1987)
18. Maulana Abul Kalam Mohiuddin Ahmad Azad Dehlavi (1988)
19. Talash—E—Azad, Publisher, Maharashtra Urdu Academy,
20. Urdu Shairi Ki Gayarah Awazain,Publisher, Nai Awaz Jamia Nagar New Delhi
21. Masreen wa Mutaliqat Azad,Publisher Nai Awaz Jamia Nagar New Delhi
22. Hayat Abul Kalam Azad (2000),Publisher, Modern Publishing House New Delhi
23. Mai Urdu Hoon 2006