Prof. Qazi Abdussattar, noted Urdu writer passes away

Professor Qazi Abdussattar (85), a noted Urdu writer and former head of Aligarh Muslim University(AMU)’s Urdu department, has recently passed away in New Delhi on October 29, 2018. Born in Machretta village of Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur district in 1933, Abdussattar joined the AMU as a researcher in 1954. He started his career as a short story writer. His most famous short story “Peetal Ka Ghanta” drew acclaim in the Urdu literary world. His early writings focussed on the decline of zamidaari culture in Avadh region. Later, he made a mark as a writer of historical novels. His most famous works include “Darashiko”, “Khalidbinwalid” and “Ghalib” which are considered as masterpieces in this genre.Winner of several national and international awards, Abdussattar was awarded Padma Shri in 1974. He was also the first recipient of Ghalib Academy Award in 1978.