Ali Jawad Zaidi


Syed Ali Jawad Zaidi was an Indian Urdu poet, scholar, and author of over 80 books in several languages. He was also an Indian independence activist, lawyer and later, a civil servant, but is best known for his work in Urdu literature.
He was an authority on marsiyago poetry of Uttar Pradesh, including the poets Mir Anis and Mirza Ghalib, and wrote on both poetry and prose, including research and analytical works.
He has received several awards for his contributions to literature and other fields.

Early life and education

Zaidi was born in the village Karhan, Uttar Pradesh, then in Azamgarh district in eastern Uttar Pradesh, the eldest of six children in a zamindar family of Mohammadabad-Gohna, Azamgarh. He 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.
When Zaidi was 11 years old, his father died. His early formal education took place in Mahmudabad, the princely state. He then graduated from Government Jubilee College, Lucknow and an LLB from Lucknow University).

Indian independence activism

During his graduation and later while doing his LLB, he came into contact with leaders of the Indian independence movement, which he joined in the late 1930s. He wrote revolutionary poetry while he led the student's movement along with other student leaders such as Shankar Dayal Sharma, who later went on to become the President of India. His poetry drew praise from Sarojini Naidu, and he was subsequently elected as the Secretary-General of the All India Student’s Federation. He remained the Secretary-General of the All India Students Federation during the Quit India Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi.
His poems were proscribed by the British Colonial Government for inciting rebellion against the British Raj. The British government issued an arrest warrant in order to stop him from organising student rallies and mobilising students against the Raj. He continued his work underground, organising students throughout India. He was later arrested at Nagpur, and was sentenced to jail for anti-British activity and sent to serve his term at the Nagpur Central Prison and later transferred to the Benares Central Jail.

Government service

With India’s independence, Zaidi ended his active involvement in politics. He joined the Information Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh and was a Deputy Director there until he was inducted into the Indian Information Service and posted to Srinagar.
Although he had taken up Government Service for a full-time job, and chosen that as a career, he remained active in arts and cultural activities in Jammu and Kashmir, organising and conducting the annual Kashmir festival during the summer months. He was appointed as the Secretary General of the Society of Arts and Culture, Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
In the early 1960s he was transferred to Delhi and posted with the Press Information Bureau in Delhi and Mumbai. His final posting was in Tehran and he retired from active Government service as Joint Director, News Services, All India Radio in August 1978.
Zaidi was a secularist and nationalist. He was a member of the Inder Kumar Gujral Committee for promotion of Urdu.
He was a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers. He also worked as the editor of Naya Daur, an Urdu monthly digest, and Al-Ilm, a monthly published from Mumbai. Naya Daur ran a series on his memoirs on a monthly basis for a time, as well as a special issue in his memory of Ali Jawad Zaidi after his death. He also did some translation work for the Sahitya Akademi.
He travelled extensively in India and abroad, often working with heads of state and other high-ranking officials. He was friends with Darshan Singh of the Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission.

Writing career

Throughour his years with the government, Zaidi continused writing. Seven of his books have won State Government Awards. He was the author of 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 degrees have been awarded to four students for research done on his life and works.
He was President of the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, Lucknow and as the President of the Zainabbiya Institute of Islamic Studies, Mumbai, and was on the Board of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi and the Sangeet and Natya Akademi, New Delhi and other social, literary and cultural organizations. He was also an Advisor to the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
His books are included in the U.S. Library of Congress and
Columbia University Libraries.
Amongst his notable works are Qasida Nigaran-e-Uttar Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh ke Marsiyago & Do Adabi School, which have been published in Urdu-speaking Pakistan as well. These books along with his History of Urdu Literature, Mirza Ghalib – Ek Parichay, Mir Anis, are unique in their approaches to their subjects.
Zaidi was a member of the progressive Urdu literature movement, other members of which included Ali Sardar Jafri and Kaifi Azmi. His poetic contemporaries included Majaz, Faiz, and Qurratulain Hyder.
He was also a member of the Committee for Promotion of Urdu
Confined to his home in Lucknow due to poor health and failing eyesight during his last years, he wrote using an amanuensis. He died on 6 December 2004.

Awards

The Government of India conferred on him the Padma Shri in recognition of his contributions to Urdu literature., He also received a Tamra Patra award for his role in the freedom movement, the Ghalib award
Other awards included:
In 1987, Zaidi asked government bodies and literary organizations not to consider his works for awards.

List of published books

authored 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 * Critical Analysis
  5. Naath Nigari Uttar Pradesh mein Research & analysis
  6. Zabt Shuda Nazmein 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 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 1990 Poetry
  15. Warq Warq Zanjeer 1990 Poetry
  16. Dhoop Chaaon 1994 Poetry
  17. Urdu Main Shairi Ke Sau Saal
1981 Criticism & analysis
  1. Hamari Quami Shairi Criticism & analysis
  2. Taamiri Adab 1959 * Criticism & analysis
  3. Anwaar-e-Abu Al Kalaam 1959
  4. Hindustan Mein Islami Uloom Ke Marakaz 1972
  5. Fikr-o-Riyaz 1975 * Collection of Muqalaat
  6. Tareekh-e-Adab Urdu Ki Tadween 1976 Research
  7. Qasida Nigaran-e-Uttar Pradesh 1978 Research
  8. Tarrek Adab Ki Tadween 1983 Research
  9. Do Aadabi Ischool 1980 Critical Analysis
  10. Qasida Nigaran-e-Uttar Pradesh 1983 Research & analysis
  11. Masnavi Nigari 1985 Research & analysis
  12. Diwan-e-Ghani 1964 Research & analysis
  13. Zikr-o-Fikr Ghani 1966 Silsila Muqalaat
  14. Nasr Nigari Uttar Pradesh Mein Research & analysis
  15. Do aadabi Ischool 1988 Critical Analysis
  16. Hindustan Mein Arabi Ki Taweej Research & analysis
  17. Kamal-e-Abu Kalam 1989 Collection of articles
  18. Mir Anis Biography
  19. Ghalib – Ek Parichay 1969 Biography
  20. Tareek-e-Mushaira 1992 Research
  21. Malik Ram Ek Mutaalah 1987 Biography
  22. Islami Taraki Pasandi
  23. Dehalvi Marsiyago – Vol I 1982 * Research & Analysis
  24. Dehalvi Marsiyago – Vol II 1987 * Research & Analysis
  25. Anis Ke Salaam 1981 Collection
  26. Rubiyaat-e-Anis 1985 Collection
  27. Mir Anis 1991 Collection & Short biography
  28. Jadeed Marsiye Ka Baani – Mir Zamir Laknawi
  29. Adbiyaat Kashmiri 1994
  30. Mahatma Gandhi 1986 Translation from English
  31. Diwan Shams Tabraizi Ki Seer Translation from Persian
  32. Islami Para Para
  33. Aap Se Miliye 1963 * Sketches
  34. ____ Humsaaya 1985 Sketches
  35. Hum Qaabila 1990 Sketches
  36. Ehl-e-Qaabila Sketches
  37. Yaadon Ke Rahguzar Memoirs
  38. _____ Nazr Collection of articles
  39. Inteqaab-e-Rind 1983
  40. Payaam-e-Aazadi 1947
  41. Naghma-e-aazadi 1957 Collection of Poems
  42. Naghma-e-aazadi 1957 Collection of Poems
  43. Zaidi ke Tafsare Collection
  44. Zaidi Ke Muqadmaat Collection
  45. An Experiment in Communication Planning 1970 Research & Analysi
  46. Human Interest Stories 1970
  47. Malik Ram Felicitation Volume 1972
  48. The Prophet’s Daughter Historical Research
  49. Urdu Press in Bihar & Bengal 1978 Research & Analysis
  50. Mortality & Growth in Urdu Press 1978 Research & Analysis
  51. All India Students Conference

Golden Jubilee Celebrations 1986
  1. A Short History of Student Movement Historical Research
  2. Paro 2005 Long Poem Published by Anwar Zaidi's efforts
  3. Annual Report J&K

Academy of Arts, Culture & Languages 1962 Report
  1. Report of the I K Gujral Committee for

The Promotion of Urdu 1975 Report