Abdul Qavi Desnavi (1 November 1930 – 7 July 2011) was an Indian Urdu language writer, critic, bibliographer and linguist. He wrote many books on Urdu literature. His works included about Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mirza Ghalib and Allama Muhammad Iqbal. He was awarded with several awards for his literary works.
Early life
Desnavi was born in village Desna of block Asthawan in Nalanda district Bihar. to the family of Muslim scholar Sulaiman Nadvi, who claimed to be descended from and who was a recognized historian and biographer of Muhammad. Desnavi was the son of Syed Mohammed Saeed Raza, who was Professor of Urdu, Arabic and Persian languages in St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Desnavi had two brothers, elder Prof. Syed Mohi Raza and younger Syed Abdul Wali Desnavi.
Many scholars, poets, and teachers of today were his students in Bhopal, and several other students obtained PhD degree under his guidance. He died on 7 July 2011 in Bhopal, India.
Career
Desnavi got his primary education in Arrah town of Bihar state. He completed his Graduation and Post Graduation in First from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. He joined Urdu department in Saifia Post Graduate College in February 1961. He became Professor and Head of the Urdu department of Saifia College. He was a well known literary figure in India and in the Urdu world.
He has over 50 books under his name, some of which are:
Bhopal aur Ghalib
Motala-E-Khotoot Ghalib
Talesh-E_Azad
Ek Shahar Panch Mashahirs
Hayat-e-Abul Kalam Azad
Bibliography
Allama Iqbal Bhopal Mein, publisher, Dept. of Urdu Saifia College,Bhopal (1967) Bhopal Aur Ghalib, publisher, Dept. of Urdu Saifia College,Bhopal (1969) Nuskha-E-Bhopal Aur Nuskha-A-Bhopal Sani, publisher, Dept. of Urdu Saifia College,Bhopal (1970) Motala—E—Khotoot—E—Ghalib (1975) (2nd edition) (1979) Iqbal Uneesween Sadi Mein, publisher, Naseem Book Depot, (1977) Iqbal Aur Dilli, Publisher Nai Awaz Jamia Nagar New Delhi (1978) Iqbal Aur Darul Iqbal Bhopal, publisher, Naseem Book Depot, (1983) Iqbaliat Ki Talash, Makataba Jamia, (1984) Iqbaliat Ki Talash, publisher, Globe Publishers, Urdu Bazar Lahore, Pakistan (1985) Abul Kalam Azad Urdu, Publisher Sahitya Akademi (1987) Maulana Abul Kalam Mohiuddin Ahmad Azad Dehlavi (1988) Talash—E—Azad, publisher, Maharashtra Urdu Academy Hayat Abul Kalam Azad (2000),Publisher, Modern Publishing House New Delhi.
Letter from eminent personalities
Legacy
On 1 November 2017, Google showed a Google Doodle in honouring Desnavi's 87th birthday.