Dr. Azhar Kidvai: 11.04.1900 — 19.09.1963
•••••
For many days Nuzhat and I have been wanting to publish Abi's Prose and Poetry. Ragni and Sabeen wanted me to do so, too. In fact Sabeen said she'd publish it all at T2F's publishing house that, sadly, never began (and probably won't).
It was after Sabeen's assassination that I decided that I'd have Abi's works published in a website, so it is is now on the net and you can go there and see the beginnings that are complete. While his Ghazals and Nazms will be ready at some point this year — and they will be in his handwriting — his prose selection has been completed now.
Look under Naee Paod in the titles here. The pieces were written between 1936 and 1939 and were published in 1939 under the Shirkaté Adabiyah (Dehli) and printed at Dilli Printing Works (Dehli).
There were 1000 copies printed and all (except 31 that were gifted by Abi to friends and family members) were sold at Rs 1 each. (Does the price surprise you? That was a good price, you know. I have Ustad Amir Minai's works, published in 1941, that cost Rs. 2 only.)
•••••
Oh, and while you are there, do take a look at Laghv Goi, his humorous verses written from 1924 to 1935. You might be surprised to know through one poem that what was then known as Aligarh Ki Zabaan is almost the same as spoken today … often known as Urdish.
Thank you and Shahbaash ZAK! A great tribute from a proud son to his amazing father! A father who would have been proud of his son too! Am very pleased also to see beloved Sabeen cited here, as we gear up to commemorate her anniversary, although we have missed her and remembered her every day of the past 12 months... May they both rest in peace. Tahira Abdullah
ReplyDeleteTruly amazing and a commendable tribute to your Abbi...Now I know where U got not only ur looks but the brains too :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute to your dear father. In today's world not many have this kind of love, affection, respect and dedication. I am sure your father was a very proud father to have you as his son! May he rest in peace - where ever he is!
ReplyDeleteI have always admired your father from the stories you told me about him, though there are a lot of similarities in our fathers ,but they were of two different thinking .
ReplyDelete