By Sameer Khan for TwoCircles.net,
India and Urdu Literature of the subcontinent lost one of its jewels when Mr. Waris Alvi the renounced Urdu critic passed away at the age of 86 in Ahmedabad Gujarat India on 10 January. Several literary giants and noted personalities paid their last tribute to Alvi during his funeral on Thursday in Ahmedabad.
Mr. Waris Alvi was a renowned Urdu critic in India. Mr. Alvi had authored 25 books. ‘Ghazal Ka Mahboob aur Doosre Mazameen’ was his last book. He had received several awards including Gaurav Puraskar from Gujarat government and Ghalib Award from Ghalib Academy, Delhi and Bahadur Shah Zafar Award from Delhi Urdu Academy.
Maharashtra State Urdu Academy also conferred an award on him. Alvi also headed Gujarat Urdu Sahitya Academy for several years since its inception.
Mr. Alvi was well known as a stalwart in Urdu Literature but very few people know that he was also a freedom fighter and well known Gandhian and stood by Gandhian principles all his life. He vividly recalled attending pro independence meetings of Mahatma Gandhi and Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan as a young boy before Independence.
Mr. Alvi belonged to the lineage of Vali Gujarati the father of Urdu Literature in the subcontinent whose grave was desecrated and a tar road made above it during the Gujarat riots of 2002. The story that has been depicted in Nandita Das critically acclaimed movie “Firaq”
When I met Waris uncle in Oct 2012, He lamented over the decline of Urdu Language in India and particularly in the state of Gujarat. “Very few people know that Gujarat and Gujarati Muslims were one of the pioneers of Urdu Language in the subcontinent” he said and also fondly recalled the brotherhood that existed among Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat. In spite of the vicious riots that had dented the communal fabric of Gujarat Mr. Alvi remained positive about the communal brotherhood till the end. “This is a temporary phase of hatred and it will pass soon” were his words as he described the mistrusted created by 2002 Gujarat violence.
He also regretted the lack of opportunities and the enthusiasm among the younger generation for Urdu medium schools and not only Urdu language but also Gujarati language. “Everyone wants’ to go English medium school today, what legacy are we going to leave for future?” he groused.
His passing had indeed left us a deep chasm that will be impossible to fill but the perfect tribute to legends like him would be we can hope that in future Urdu language is gets revived and Mr. Waris Alvi gets his rightful place in the history of Urdu Literature in the world.