When time stood still for a man who wrote through time

By S A H Rizvi
Chief Of Bureau, New Delhi
The Times Kuwait

It was a moment etched in time. As 95-year-old Dr. Mujawir Husain Rizvi slowly made his way to the podium — his frail steps supported by the gentle hands of former students and lifelong admirers — the entire auditorium rose in silent reverence. Applause swelled into a standing ovation, not just for the man, but for the era he represents. Every clap was a tribute to a lifetime devoted to words, wisdom, and unwavering love for the Urdu language.

The occasion was to confer the Prof. Sharib Rudaulvi Award 2024, a recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Urdu literature. The Kaifi Azmi Auditorium in Lucknow was overflowing. People had come from neighboring towns — many just to catch a glimpse of the nonagenarian, to hear his voice, and to witness history wrapped in humility.

The honor came with a citation, a robe of dignity, and a cash award of ₹50,000, presented to Dr. Rizvi by Professor Dr. Abbas Ali Mahdi, Vice Chancellor of Era University, in the presence of a galaxy of scholars, civil servants, poets, and journalists.

Among them were names that resonate in literary and academic circles: Dr. Nihal Raza, Dr. Ali Ahmad Fatimi who delivered the Sharib Rudaulvi Memorial Lecture, Justice S. Qamar Hasan Rizvi, Shahid Manzar Abbas Rizvi (Secretary Finance, Government of UP), Dr. Timsal Masood (Guest of Honour), Dr. Amjad Husain (former Editor of Naya Daur), and veteran journalist Jameel Askari.

When Dr. Rizvi took the microphone, there was a moment of profound silence. His voice was gentle, yet full of the kind of conviction that only time bestows.

“My age,” he said softly, “is the story of a long journey… but to witness this crowd, this affection — it overwhelms me. I say with certainty: Urdu is alive, it has endured, it has evolved… and it will live on —forever.”

Thunderous applause followed, echoing against the walls of the auditorium like waves of gratitude washing over a living monument.

At 95, Dr. Rizvi is not merely a scholar —he is the oldest surviving journalist in India, the oldest Urdu novelist, and the most prolific writer in the detective fiction genre. A towering academic, a mentor, a poet of ideas—his body may show signs of age, but his mind remains as sharp as ever. Those who once bore witness to his photographic memory now rest in silence, but their words of awe remain.

What astonishes even the most seasoned writers is the sheer scale of his contribution. Over a thousand books, in genres as varied as his thoughts, bear his pen name Ibne Saeed. His command over Urdu was not just academic—it was instinctive, emotional, and deeply human.

Dr. Rizvi’s love for knowledge led him to Allahabad in early 1947. To support his studies, he joined a newspaper—and within a month, he was made its editor. A modest raise of ₹15 and a new editorial job would shape his destiny. But fiction had already begun to call him.

In collaboration with his mentor and beloved “Bhaiyya,” Syed Abbas Husainy, he co-founded Nakhat Publications. This marked the beginning of his journey as a novelist. At just 21, he was already writing up to three novels a month—a feat that even young authors today find hard to fathom.

Yet, academia was where his heart ultimately belonged. In the mid-60s, he joined the world of higher education and rose to become the Head of the Urdu Department at Hyderabad Central University, retiring from that position three decades ago. Even post-retirement, Dr. Rizvi opened his doors every morning and evening to guide research scholars—never charging a single rupee for his wisdom.

His life is a bridge between centuries. He witnessed partition, the evolution of journalism, the golden age of Urdu fiction, and the birth of modern literary criticism. And through it all, he never stopped writing, never stopped mentoring, and never stopped believing in the beauty of language.

Accolades followed him like shadows, but they never defined him. What defined him was his humility, his discipline, and his unwavering commitment to a language that he nurtured like a child and loved like a mother.

In a time when many measure life by its pace, Dr. Mujawir Husain Rizvi reminds us that greatness lies in devotion. His story is not just one of a scholar or a writer—it is the living history of Urdu itself.

And as he sat quietly, surrounded by applause and admiration, there was only one thought that lingered in every heart present: we were lucky to have lived in his time.