About Me Remembering Ibn-e-Safi ابن صفی

One of the greatest writers in history, Ibn-e-Safi, (ابن صفی) who took Urdu fiction and detective writings to dizzy heights in the decades of 50s, 60s and 70s, would be remembered at a function organised by India’s premier literary organisation, the Sahitya Akademi.

ibn e safi Ibn-e-Safi, not only created great characters but took detective writing in Urdu to a stage where it was acknowledged internationally. For years, it was debated whether Jasoosi Adab could be termed as Adab.

But it seems his immense contribution is now being recognised. Christina Oesterheld will deliver the guest lecture on Ibn-i-Safi’s novels. She is from Institute of South Asian Studies (Heidelberg) Germany and the event would be held in the Academy auditorium on March 16 at 6 pm.

Asrar Ahamd Narvi alias Ibn Safi BA who wrote under several pen names wrote over 240 novels and was solely responsible for the survival of Urdu readership in Northern India after partition when Hindi was patronised and Urdu banished from schools.

Ali Abbas Husaini’s Nakhat publications printed the novels in India and later Safi migrated to Pakistan. His literary taste and unique style of prose turned millions of people addicted to his novels. In Allahabad, long queues were seen the day his new novels would come on shops. Thirty years after his death Ibn Safi remains a phenonmenon unrivalled in the sub-continent. The report of the seminar is here. (story Link with thanks)

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