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Express Tribune
12-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Urdu scholar CM Naim dies at 89
Renowned Urdu scholar, author and translator CM Naim died at age 89 on Wednesday in Chicago, his family has told the press. Naim's love for Urdu literature was evident in the nearly 60 years he dedicated to painstakingly restore the language he feared was falling out of favour for good in the subcontinent. Born in Barabanki, he attended Lucknow University, followed by the University of California, Berkeley. In 1961, Naim joined the faculty of the Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago, which he later chaired from 1985 to 1991. He remained associated with the university until 2001. As a mark of the impact of his decades of teaching, Naim was conferred the title of Professor Emeritus. Naim's extensive bibliography comprises a large collection of research publications, translations, and articles. His notable 1989 essay Two Days in Palestine for the New York monthly magazine The Message International (with the title later being changed to In the Eye of the Intifada, A Muslim's Journey to the Land of Oppression) still resonates today, over three-and-a-half decades after it was written. Experts in the field widely agree that among Naim's most memorable work is his article on Hasrat Mohani titled The Maulana who Loved Krishna, published in Economic & Political Weekly in 2013, as well as his biographies of Mir Taqi Mir and Mirza Ghalib. Scholars leave tribute As per the Indian Express, Naim's unique approach towards making Urdu approachable to everyone left an indelible mark on the global literary landscape. "There was so much knowledge, understanding and research, but also it was so accessible," said Indian classical singer Vidya Rao, who was also commissioning editor for Urdu Crime Fiction, 1890-1950: An Informal History (2023). "He was not writing for just a small group of people. He was reaching out to people who may not be scholars." Like so many others who had enjoyed a professional relationship with Naim, Rao fondly recalled the impact of his efforts to ensure the Urdu language remained entrenched within the hearts and minds of those who call it their mother tongue. "His work was not just on literary studies, but actually on the Urdu language, its history and the cultural world, which is very important because otherwise we tend to see a language as separate from the lived life of the people," Rao stressed. As per the publication, Khalid Alvi, Naim's close friend and former professor at Zakir Husain Delhi College, agreed with Rao's fond memories of the late Urdu scholar. Commenting on Naim's commitment to shining the spotlight on the Urdu language, Alvi recalled, "He was someone who would write about people and things that one would otherwise overlook. He was the person who brought people like Munshi Tirath Ram Ferozpuri and Mirza Fida Ali Khanjar Lakhnawi — who had written early detective fiction in Urdu — to the forefront." Noting that Naim's expertise was not limited to merely allowing other writers to shine, Alvi added, "He also wrote about Zafar Umar, an IPS officer who took to writing after tragically losing a limb. Naim saab wrote about how one of Umar's stories, Neeli Chhatri, was named after his home in Aligarh." However, Naim's contributions were not limited to the subcontinent; his legacy includes his wealth of influence left behind in the global West for those whose heritage includes the Urdu language. "He had a multinational personality. He didn't teach literature but language, because he knew that language was the foundation," noted fellow Urdu scholar Khalid Jawed, who had met with Naim in a professional capacity at the University of Virginia and Princeton University. "He had of course written, translated and edited several classical Urdu texts, but his contribution can be felt deeply in the way he shaped three generations of Urdu-speaking people in the US." With his endeavours and passion for preserving the Urdu language, Naim entrenched himself in the hearts and minds of those he encountered throughout his professional life. Professor, historian and author Esmat Elhalaby summed it up best with the tribute he left to the late scholar on X: "Peace to the great CM Naim (1936-2025). When I started studying Urdu I started reading everything he ever wrote, and haven't stopped."
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Esteemed Urdu scholar CM Naim dies at age 89
Renowned Urdu scholar, author and translator CM Naim died at age 89 on Wednesday in Chicago, his family has told the press. Naim's love for Urdu literature was evident in the nearly 60 years he dedicated to painstakingly restore the language he feared was falling out of favour for good in the subcontinent. Born in Barabanki, he attended Lucknow University, followed by the University of California, Berkeley. In 1961, Naim joined the faculty of the Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. Years later, he later chaired the department from 1985 to 1991. He remained associated with the university until 2001. As a mark of the impact of his decades of teaching, Naim was conferred the title of Professor Emeritus. Naim's extensive bibliography comprises a large collection of research publications, translations, and articles. His notable 1989 essay Two Days in Palestine for the New York monthly magazine The Message International (with the title later being changed to In the Eye of the Intifada, A Muslim's Journey to the Land of Oppression) still resonates today, over three-and-a-half decades after it was written. Experts in the field widely agree that among Naim's most memorable work is his article on Hasrat Mohani titled The Maulana who Loved Krishna, published in Economic & Political Weekly in 2013, as well as his biographies of Mir Taqi Mir and Mirza Ghalib. Scholars leave tribute As per the Indian Express, Naim's unique approach towards making Urdu approachable to everyone left an indelible mark on the global literary landscape. 'There was so much knowledge, understanding and research, but also it was so accessible,' said Indian classical singer Vidya Rao, who was also commissioning editor for Urdu Crime Fiction,1890-1950: An Informal History (2023). 'He was not writing for just a small group of people. He was reaching out to people who may not be scholars.' Like so many others who had enjoyed a professional relationship with Naim, Rao fondly recalled the impact of his efforts to ensure the Urdu language remained entrenched within the hearts and minds of those who call it their mother tongue. 'His work was not just on literary studies, but actually on the Urdu language, its history and the cultural world, which is very important because otherwise we tend to see a language as separate from the lived life of the people,' Rao stressed. As per the publication, Khalid Alvi, Naim's close friend and former professor at Zakir Husain Delhi College, agreed with Rao's fond memories of the late Urdu scholar. Commenting on Naim's commitment to shining the spotlight on the language, Alvi recalled, 'He was someone who would write about people and things that one would otherwise overlook. He was the person who brought people like Munshi Tirath Ram Ferozpuri and Mirza Fida Ali Khanjar Lakhnawi — who had written early detective fiction in Urdu — to the forefront.' Noting that Naim's expertise was not limited to merely allowing other writers to shine, Alvi added, 'He also wrote about Zafar Umar, an IPS officer who took to writing after tragically losing a limb. [He also] wrote about how one of Umar's stories, Neeli Chhatri, was named after his home in Aligarh.' However, Naim's contributions were not limited to the subcontinent; his legacy includes his wealth of influence left behind in the global West for those whose heritage includes the Urdu language. 'He had a multinational personality. He didn't teach literature, but language - because he knew that language was the foundation,' noted fellow Urdu scholar Khalid Jawed, who had met with Naim in a professional capacity at the University of Virginia and Princeton University. 'He had of course written, translated and edited several classical Urdu texts, but his contribution can be felt deeply in the way he shaped three generations of Urdu-speaking people in the US.' With his endeavours and passion for preserving the Urdu language, Naim entrenched himself in the hearts and minds of those he encountered throughout his professional life. Professor, historian and author Esmat Elhalaby summed it up best with the tribute he left to the late scholar on X: 'Peace to the great CM Naim (1936 – 2025). When I started studying Urdu I started reading everything he ever wrote, and haven't stopped.' Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Urdu doyen Prof CM Naim passes away, leaves a lasting legacy
Lucknow: Renowned scholar Prof Choudhri Mohammed Naim, a leading authority on Urdu language and South Asian studies, passed away in Chicago on Wednesday. He was 89. 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giá vàng đang tăng mạnh trong năm 2025 — Các nhà giao dịch thông minh đã tham gia IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo 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 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."
