Allama Dr Zameer Akhtar Naqvi, who passed away on September 13, was an orator, religious and literary scholar, critic, researcher, poet, author and linguist.

Known popularly as Bhaiyya (elder brother), Naqvi had deep roots in the cultures of Lucknow and Karachi. He was one of the finest exponents of the Lucknawi culture.

Naqvi was born in Lucknow on March 24, 1944. He studied at Lucknow’s Hussain School, Jubilee College and Shia College of Lucknow for matriculation, intermediate, graduation and post-graduation. In 1967, he migrated to Karachi with his family and did master’s in philosophy, Islamic history, journalism and Urdu literature from Karachi University. Later, he did his PhD writing a thesis on Mir Babbar Ali Anees, the great marsiya (elegy) poet. Initially, he was settled in North Nazimabad in Karachi but later moved to Ancholi for security and personal reasons.

His research on Anees took him to Anees Academy, a literary society of which he would later be patron. The academy gave him a platform to reintroduce Mir Anees in Urdu literature. He did this by writing several books on Anees and his poetry. He also served as editor of a literary magazine, Al-Kalam.

Bhaiyya’s love for literature took him to the literary circles of Karachi where he got to know Josh Malihabadi, Naseem Amrohvi, Raees Amrohvi, Jaun Elia and other poets from Lucknow. Meetings with the literary legends polished his poetic skills and he started composing ghazals, poems and marsiya. His book, Kalam-i- Zameer established him as a good poet, though he never introduced himself as one. He would recite his poetry in private gatherings. He is also present in a photo published in Josh Malihabadi’s autobiography Yadon ki Baraat.

Being a researcher and author, he was fond of books and manuscripts and meeting authors. His pupil and an orator, Allama Musa Haider Zaidi told TNS: “Wherever Bhaiyya would go to address majalis (congregations to commemorate martyrs of Karbala), he would purchase books, visit libraries and meet historians. During his visits to UK and USA, he visited the British Museum Library and the Library of Congress. I can say with certainty that he had the biggest collection of printed and hand written books of marsiya in his library.”

He authored a number of books himself. “Bhaiyya authored over 300 books on various topics. His books on Mir Anees, Josh Malihabadi and Zuljinah (Imam Hussain’s mount in the battle of Karbala) won immense acclaim. Bhaiyya was working on an anthology of marsiya, including those written in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, English, Bangla, Spanish, Turkish, Punjabi, Seraiki, Tamil and several dialects of these languages. If published, this collection will comprise 14 volumes, with over 1,000 pages each.”

He was among leading Shia orators from Karachi and Lahore and rubbed shoulders with likes of Maulana Azhar Hasan Zaidi, Allama Rasheed Turabi, Allama Aqeel Turabi, Allama Talib Jauhri and Allama Naseerul Ijtihadi. He stepped into the field of oration in 1980s and became popular quickly because of his unique tone, lighter notes, elegant language and handsome clothing.

His love for literature took him to the literary circles of Karachi where he got to know Josh Malihabadi, Naseem Amrohvi, Raees Amrohvi and Jaun Elia as well as other poets from Lucknow. Meetings with the literary legends polished his poetic skills and he started composing ghazals, poems and marsiya.

In 1990, he addressed his first majlis in Lahore and soon became the most sought after orator. He remained in the spotlight during Muharram majalis for the next two decades. Three of his protégés, Allama Majid Abidi, Allama Kamal Haider and Allama Musa Haider, are carrying forward his legacy of oration.

During his last days, he was widely criticised on the social and electronic media for relating apocryphal legends in majalis. He endured the criticism with patience.

He had deep knowledge about performing arts and culture. Mohkam Naqvi, one of his close friends, who hosted him in Lahore for years, says: “Once, Maharaj Kathak came to meet Bhaiyya at my residence. They discussed classical dance for hours. Bhaiyya surprised the Maharaj by telling him about some of the moves that are no longer in extant practice. He also had a vast knowledge about Indian classical music, ragas, music gharanas and instruments.”

“Bhaiyya was more of a mendicant orator who had no greed. He would never ask for money for addressing a majlis. If people gave him something, he would accept with thanks but would never ask for anything,” Naqvi says.

He was not fond of lavish meals and ate sparsely. “He would take a very small amount of whatever was cooked with half a loaf of bread. He mainly subsisted on tea and paan (betel leaf).”

Bhaiyya would win hearts because of his friendly nature. He had a huge circle of friends and fans of all ages. “In Lahore, people from all segments of life would come to meet him. Several poets including the late Wahidul Hasan Hashmi, the late Shabihul Hasan Hashmi and Asar Turabi were frequent visitors,” adds Naqvi.

The deceased was politically inclined towards the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and mentioned his links to Begum Nusrat Bhutto, Shaheed Beanzir Bhutto and Murtaza Bhutto in his speeches and writings. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah issued condolence messages on his death while leaders of the PTI, the MQM and Pak Sarzameen Party also expressed grief.

He remained a bachelor all his life, declaring books to be his only true love. “If I were a married person, I could not have devoted so much time to poetry or research,” Naqvi quoted Bhaiyya as having once said. “Bhaiyya’s trademark: ‘Mein nahin bataoo ga’ (I won’t tell) became very popular on the social media,” Naqvi adds.

“He will never be forgotten by millions of his fans in and outside Pakistan. I feel as if I have been orphaned a second time. The world would not see a scholar of his caliber again,” Allama Musa Haider Zaidi says.

The writer is a senior journalist and analyst