Urdu doyen Prof CM Naim passes away, leaves a lasting legacy
Born in Barabanki on June 3, 1936, Naim was acclaimed for his profound expertise in Urdu literature, language politics, and culture, leaving an indelible mark on the field.
He did his graduation and post graduation in Urdu literature from Lucknow University, later earning another master's degree in linguistics from the University of California, Berkeley. He then held positions at various US universities before joining the University of Chicago in 1961, where he taught for four decades until 2001. He was still the professor emeritus at the University of Chigaco .
During his tenure, he served as the chair of the South Asian Languages and Civilizations department from 1985 to 1991.
Naim's distinguished career also included stints as a national fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study in Shimla (2009) and as a visiting professor at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi (2003).
Naim also translated the famous autobiography of Mir Taqi Mir, Zikr e Mir into English. In 2023, Naim published "Urdu Crime Fiction, 1890–1950: An Informal History", a book that showcased his enduring passion for Urdu literature and marked another milestone in his illustrious career.
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He founded and edited two influential publications: the Annual of Urdu Studies and Mehfil (now Journal of South Asian Literature). He also authored a seminal textbook on Urdu pedagogy in English, a foundational resource in the field.
According to the University of California website, "Choudhri M Naim, professor emeritus of South Asian Languages and Civilizations, was born in Barabanki; educated at the University of Lucknow and the University of California, Berkeley."
One of Naim's notable works is his 2013 article "The Maulana who Loved Krishna" about Hasrat Mohani, published in the Economic & Political Weekly. He also penned notable biographies of literary giants Mir Taqi Mir and Mirza Ghalib, showcasing his deep understanding of Urdu literature's luminaries.
Naim's passing sparked an outpouring of tributes on social media, with many expressing admiration for his unwavering dedication to the Urdu language.Paying a heartfelt tribute to Prof.
Naim, Rekhta, the world's largest archive of Urdu poetry and literature, posted on X: "With the passing of Prof. CM Naim, the Urdu literary world has lost a distinguished voice. This loss marks the departure of a mentor and an early supporter whose intellectual generosity significantly shaped Rekhta's vision.
Prof Naim was a scholar who bridged languages, generations and culture. His clarity, integrity and lifelong contribution to Urdu remain enduring."
Mourning the demise, author Syed Ubaidur Rahman said: "Prof CM Naim is no more. He was a professor at the University of Chicago. His translations and pedagogy shaped Urdu studies. I was lucky to spend many memorable evenings with him."
Musharraf Ali Farooqi, author, storyteller and founder of a library of Urdu classics, said: "Renowned Urdu scholar, Professor CM Naim, has passed away. May he rest in peace. Was honoured to call him a friend."
Hoping students will absorb the quiet wisdom that shines through Naim's words, historian Neeti Nair posted: "I met Prof Naim only once, decades ago, and we corresponded once or twice. I will continue to assign his essays in the hope that students will learn from his quiet wisdom - on the partition, on memory, on Urdu, on belonging. RIP."
Akhlaq Ahan, Professor & chairperson, Centre of Persian & Central Asian studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, said: "Prof.
Choudhri Mohammed Naim (b. 1936), a formidable scholar of Urdu language and literature, doyen of South Asian Studies in the USA and professor emeritus at the University of Chicago passed away today. He translated the famous autobiography of Mir Taqi Mir, Zikr e Mir into English, besides many Urdu and Hindi books.
He was also briefly associated with JMI, New Delhi and AMU, Aligarh as visiting professor and IIAS, Shimla as fellow. He taught, trained and inspired many generations of students and scholars within and outside the USA, during the last over six decades."
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