Who is Ali Jawad Zaidi?

Answer 1

ALI JAWAD ZAIDI By Saiyid Siraj Amjad On 10th March 1916, a boy was born in Karhan, a small village in Azamgarh district of eastern Uttar Pradesh. This boy, the eldest of six children was to rise to such great heights that not only would he be a known personality in the district or the state in which he was born but go on to become an internationally known figure in the field of Urdu Literature. This boy, lovingly called "Babu" by his adoring mother, is today known as Ali Jawad Zaidi in literary circles and is internationally recognized as a poet of repute, an authority on Marsiyago of Uttar Pradesh, Mir Anis & Mirza Ghalib, and has written on as diverse subjects as plain prose to poetry, from research works to analytical works. Hailing from a prominent zamindar family of Mohammadabad-Gohna, Azamgarh, Ali Jawad Zaidi was born at his maternal grandfather's home in Karhan. Belonging to a Saiyid family and being the eldest son in his family, he was sent to the local Arabic Madarsa to gain education and proficiency in Islamic Theology and religious matters and had it not been for one of his uncles who took him under his wings, the world of Urdu and society in general would have been deprived of his genius and knowledge. Ali Jawad's father died young and at the time, Ali Jawad was only 11 years old. His early formal education took place in Mahmudabad, the princely state. He then proceeded to Lucknow for his pre-university, graduation (Jubilee College, Lucknow) and Post-Graduation in law, (LLb. from Lucknow University). It was in Lucknow that Ali Jawad grew and blossomed. Although his genius was noticed in his early years as a child in his hometown itself, it was in Lucknow that Ali Jawad came into his own as an orator, poet, student leader and organizer. During his graduation and later while doing his LLB, he came into contact with leaders of the national freedom movement and his conscience saw him take a plunge into the freedom movement in the late 1930's. His poems inspired the revolutionaries of the time and he himself led the student's movement along with other able student leaders. His charisma and dynamism saw him being elected as the Secretary-General of the All India Student's Federation. He was the Secretary-General of the All India Student's Federation, during those hectic and stormy days of the Quit India Movement (1942) launched by Gandhi. His poems got proscribed by the British Government for inciting rebellion against the British Raj. The British government got so frustrated by his political activities that they issued an arrest warrant in order to stop him from organizing student rallies and mobilizing the student power against the Raj. But he was not one to give in easily and went underground. He continued with his work of organizing and inspiring students throughout the length and breath of India. He was finally arrested in Nagpur. He was sentenced to jail for anti-British activity and sent to serve his term at the Nagpur Central Prison and later transferred to the Banares Central Jail. With India's independence, Ali Jawad bid goodbye to active politics, although he could have encashed on his popularity and contribution to the freedom struggle, his view was that he fought the British to free India from the yoke of the British Raj and now that India had gained its independence, it was time for him to move onto other things. He joined the Information Department of the Uttar Pradesh Government and was a Deputy Director there when he was inducted into the Information Service of the Central Government and posted to Srinagar.
Although he had taken up Government Service for a full-time job and chosen that as a career, he was never away from the Arts and Cultural activities, which were his calling from the heart. He soon found himself getting involved in the Arts and Cultural activities in Jammu & Kashmir and found himself being thrust with the responsibility of organizing and conducting the Kashmir festival during the summer months on an annual basis. He was appointed as the Secretary General of the Society of Arts and Culture, Government of Jammu & Kashmir. In the early sixties, he was transferred to Delhi and posted with the Press Information Bureau. His postings with the Press Information Bureau saw him in Mumbai and then back in Delhi. His final posting was in Tehran and he retired from active Government service as Jt. Director, News Services, AIR in August, 1978. Being a secularist and nationalist to the core, religion had always taken a back seat in his life although he was religious is his own way. For him, religion was a personal matter and the nation, its culture and heritage had always been more important. He was a member of the I K Gujral Committee on National Integration. He had been a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers. Thousands of his articles have found place in the print media over the years. He had also worked as the Editor of "Naya Daur", an Udru monthly digest and "Al-Ilm", a monthly published from Mumbai. In the recent past, Naya Daur ran a series on his memoirs on a monthly basis. He had also done some translation work (into English) for the Sahitya Akademi (Gandhi). The nature of his job took him around the world and he has traveled extensively in India. He has brushed shoulders with Heads of State, Prime Ministers, Governors, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers, Ministers in State Governments, and other high ranking officials on the world stage, yet he was a man with his feet firmly set to the ground, humble and simple. During all his years with the government, he did not stop writing. More than half a dozen of his books have won State Government Awards. The Government of India conferred on him the Padmashri, in recognition of his contribution to Urdu literature. Amongst the various awards and honours that have been conferred on him are, the Tamra Patra for his role in the freedom movement, the Ghalib award and the Mir Anis award. He has authored over 80 books in Urdu, English, Hindi and Persian. Many of his works are now reference material for research students. He has been the subject of research scholars and Doctor of Philosophy Degree's have been awarded to four students for research done on his life and works. He has served as the President of the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, Lucknow and as the President of the Zainabbiya Institute of Islamic Studies, Mumbai, apart from stints on the Board of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi and the Sangeet & Natya Akademi, New Delhi and many other social, literary and cultural organizations. He has also served as an Advisor to the Government of Uttar Pradesh. Being a man of letters, despite failing sight, he continued to write till his very end. Confined to his home in Lucknow during his last years, as time and age took their toll on him, he wrote employing a person who transcribed all that was dictated. Ali Jawad could hardly see, but the spirit was still very much alive with so much in that little head on those fragile shoulders. His deteriorating health had added urgency to his approach towards his works. He used to say that there was so much more he had to give to the world, yet time was running out for him. Amongst his various works are Naath Nigaran-e-Uttar Pradesh (in 2 Volumes), Uttar Pradesh ke Marsiyago (in 2 Volumes) & Do Adabi School, which have been published in Pakistan as well. These books along with his History of Urdu Literature (English), Mirza Ghalib - Ek Parichay (Hindi), Mir Anis, are unique in their approaches to their subjects. Saiyid Ali Jawad ZaidiMohammedabad-Gohna, Dist. Azamgarh (Now - Mau), Uttar Pradesh, India. Date of Birth :March 10, 1916 Date of Death : December 06, 2004 Education : BA (Lucknow University) LLB (Lucknow University) Career : Government Service (Retired as Jt. Dir., News Services, AIR) Other Positions Held : Advisor, Government of Uttar Pradesh. General Secretary, Dept of Arts & Culture, Govt. of J&K. Srinagar Secretary to the Prime Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar Member of the Board, Sahitya Academy, New Delhi Member of the Board, Anjum Tarraqqi Urdu, New Delhi Member of the Board, Sangeet & Natak Academy, New Delhi Member of the Board, Lalit Kala Niketan, New Delhi Member, Board of Trustees, Shia Dergee College, Lucknow President, Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, Lucknow President, Zainabiya Institue of Islamic Studies, Mumbai Secretary General, All India Students Federation Recipient of the following Awards : - Padma Shri for contribution to Urdu Literature - Sahitya Academy Award for contribution to Urdu Literature - Tamra Patra for contribution to India's Freedom Struggle - Anis Award in recognition of Expertise on Mir Anis - Ghalib Award in recognition of Expertise on Mirza Ghalib - Certificate of Honour presented by The Rotary Club, Lucknow - Awards presented to his various books by Governments and Literary Organizations are marked in the list of his Books below. Since 1987, Ali Jawad Zaidi, asked Government Bodies and Literary Organizations, not to consider his works, for awards. List of Published Books ( Books marked by an '*' are award winning books) Written by Saiyid Ali Jawad Zaidi 1. Meri Gazalain 1959 * Poetry 2. Teesha-e-Awaaz 1985 Poetry 3. Uttar Pradesh Ke Marsiyago Research 4. Do Adbi School 1970 * Crictical Analysis 5. Naath Nigari Uttar Pradesh mein Research & analysis 6. Zabpt Shudaa Nazmain Collection of Proscribed Poems 7. Urdu Main Qaumi Shairi Ke Sau Saal 1957 Criticism & analysis 8. History of Urdu Literature 1993 Research & Analysis 9. Mir Anis (Tr. English) 1986 Biography 10. Rang-e-sang 1944 Poetry 11. Dayar-e-Sahar 1960 Poetry 12. Naseem-e-Dasht-e-Arzoo 1980 * Poetry 13. Inteqhab Ali Jawad Zaidi 1971 Poetry 14. Silsila (Inteqhab) 1990 Poetry 15. Warq Warq Zanjeer 1990 Poetry 16. Dhoop Chaaon 1994 Poetry 17. Urdu Main Shairi Ke Sau Saal (Afsaane ke saath) 1981 Criticism & analysis 18. Hamari Quami Shairi Criticism & analysis 19. Taamiri Adab 1959 * Criticism & analysis 20. Anwaar-e-Abu Al Kalaam 1959 21. Hindustan Mein Islami Uloom Ke Marakaz 1972 22. Fikr-o-Riyaz 1975 * Collection of Muqalaat 23. Tareekh-e-Adab Urdu Ki Tadween 1976 Research
Ali Jawad Zaidi - List of Books (Cont.) 24. Qasida Nigaran-e-Uttar Pradesh 1978 Research 25. Tarrek Adab Ki Tadween (Vol II) 1983 Research 26. Do Aadabi Ischool (Revised Edition) 1980 Critical Analysis 27. Qasida Nigaran-e-Uttar Pradesh (Vol II) 1983 Research & analysis 28. Masnavi Nigari 1985 Research & analysis 29. Diwan-e-Ghani 1964 Research & analysis 30. Zikr-o-Fikr Ghani 1966 Silsila Muqalaat 31. Nasr Nigari Uttar Pradesh Mein Research & analysis 32. Do aadabi Ischool (Pakistan edition) 1988 Critical Analysis 33. Hindustan Mein Arabi Ki Taweej Research & analysis 34. Kamal-e-Abu Kalam 1989 Collection of articles 35. Mir Anis (Hindi) Biography 36. Ghalib - Ek Parichay (Hindi) 1969 Biography 37. Tareek-e-Mushaira 1992 Research 38. Malik Ram Ek Mutaalah 1987 Biography 39. Islami Taraki Pasandi 40. Dehalvi Marsiyago - Vol I 1982 * Research & Analysis 41. Dehalvi Marsiyago - Vol II 1987 * Research & Analysis 42. Anis Ke Salaam 1981 Collection 43. Rubiyaat-e-Anis 1985 Collection 44. Mir Anis 1991 Collection & Short biography 45. Jadeed Marsiye Ka Baani - Mir Zamir Laknawi 46. Adbiyaat Kashmiri 1994 47. Mahatma Gandhi (Urdu) 1986 Translation from English 48. Diwan Shams Tabraizi Ki Seer (Urdu) Translation from Farsi 49. Islami Para Para 50. Aap Se Miliye 1963 * Sketches 51. ____ Humsaaya 1985 Sketches 52. Hum Qaabila 1990 Sketches 53. Ehl-e-Qaabila Sketches 54. Yaadon Ke Rahguzar Memoirs 55. _____ Nazr Collection of articles 56. Inteqaab-e-Rind 1983 57. Payaam-e-Aazadi 1947 58. Naghma-e-aazadi (Urdu) 1957 Collection of Poems 59. Naghma-e-aazadi (Hindi) 1957 Collection of Poems 60. Ali Ibn Abu Taalib - Vol I Historical Research 61. Ali Ibn Abu Taalib - Vol II Historical Research 62. Zaidi ke Tafsare Collection 63. Zaidi Ke Muqadmaat Collection 64. An Experiment in Communication Planning 1970 Research & Analysis 65. Human Interest Stories 1970 66. Malik Ram Felicitation Volume 1972 67. The Prophet's Daughter Historical Research 68. Urdu Press in Bihar & Bengal 1978 Research & Analysis 69. Mortality & Growth in Urdu Press 1978 Research & Analysis 70. All India Students Conference Golden Jubilee Celebrations 1986 71. A Short History of Student Movement Historical Research 72. Paro 2005 Long Poem Published by Anwar Zaidi 73. Annual Report (1961-62) J&K Academy of Arts, Culture & Languages 1962 Report 74. Report of the I K Gujral Committee for The Promotion of Urdu (In 2 Vols.) 1975 Report Some other links to 'Ali Jawad Zaidi' are given below : http://www.education.nic.in/cd50years/u/47/3Y/473Y0201.htm http://www.indianmuslims.info/people/list_of_padma_awardees.html http://www.education.nic.in/cd50years/u/47/3Y/473Y0202.htm http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:84xpJ15F5NsJ:www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00fwp/srf/srf_sirsayyid.doc+Ali+Jawad+Zaidi&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=13 http://www.indvandrerbiblioteket.dk/urdu/lyrik.xml http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00fwp/srf/srf_iqbal.pdf http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00fwp/srf/sabkihindi/srf_s... http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00fwp/srf/srf_sirsayyid.do... http://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?ACTION=INIT&FORM_HOST_PORT=/prod/www/data/z3950/locils2.html,z3950.loc.gov,7090&CI=102739 http://www.sahitya-akademi.org/sahitya-akademi/bklst07.htm http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0021-9118(200205)61%3A2%3C761%3AMGACB%... http://education.nic.in/cd50years/u/47/3Y/473Y0303.htm http://www.urdustan.net/blog/2004_11_01_archive.html