Abdul Qavi Desnavi was a renowned Indian Urdu language writer. He was also known as critic, bibliographer, and linguist. He was a prominent literary figure in India and in the Urdu world. He has penned down several books on Urdu literature. Some of his major important works were about Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mirza Ghalib and Allama Muhammad Iqbal. He was the recipient of several awards.
Early Life of Abdul Qavi Desnavi
Desnavi was born on 1 November 1930 in Desna village in Nalanda district in Bihar state of India. He was born to the family of Muslim scholar Syed Sulaiman Nadvi, who was one of the prominent historian and biographers of the prophet Muhammad. His father Syed Mohammed Saeed Raza was Professor of Urdu, Arabic and Persian languages in St. Xavier`s College, Mumbai. He had two brothers namely Prof. Syed Mohi Raza and Syed Abdul Wali Desnavi.
Education of Abdul Qavi Desnavi
He completed his primary education in Arrah town of Bihar state. He received his Graduation and Post Graduation degrees in First Division from St. Xavier`s College, Mumbai.
Career of Abdul Qavi Desnavi
He joined the department Urdu in Saifia Post Graduate College in the year 1961. He became Professor and head of the Urdu department of Saifia College and retired in the year 1990.
After his retirement, he held several prestigious positions like Additional Principal of Saifia Post Graduate College, Bhopal; Secretary of Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy, Bhopal; Elected Member Majlis E Aam Anjuman Taraqqui Urdu (Hind), New Delhi; Member of All India Anjuman Taraqui Urdu Board, New Delhi; Member of Program Advisory Committee, All India Radio, Bhopal; Member Executive Council, Barkatullah University Bhopal; Chairman of Board of Studies, Urdu, Persian & Arabic, Barkatullah University Bhopal; Dean Faculty of Arts, Barkatullah University Bhopal and Member Working Committee, Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal.
Many well known scholars and poets like Javed Akhtar, Mushtaq Singh, Mohammed Naumaan Khan, Muzzaffar Hanfi were his students in Bhopal. Also several students received their PhD degrees under his guidance. He breathed his last on 7 July 2011 in Bhopal, India.
Achievements of Abdul Qavi Desnavi
•Earned Shibli Award in 1957
•Earned Senior Fellowship in 1979
•Achieved Parvez Shahidi Award in 1998
