Asifa Zamani (22 March 1945 – 13 June 2025), who wrote under the pen name ‘Asifa’, was a distinguished Indian scholar of Persian literature and an accomplished Urdu poet. Her career, which spanned over four decades at the University of Lucknow, was marked by groundbreaking institutional achievements and a prolific output of both scholarly and creative works. In recognition of her immense contributions to the field of Literature and Education, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri in 2004.
Born in Lucknow, the historical heart of Indo-Persian culture, Zamani was deeply rooted in the city’s intellectual traditions. She was married to Syed Muhammad Ejaz Rizvi, a minister in the Government of Uttar Pradesh; their daughter, Dr Sheema Rizvi, also followed a path into public service and state ministry.
Zamani’s professional journey was defined by her association with the University of Lucknow’s Department of Persian. She shattered several glass ceilings, becoming the first woman appointed as a lecturer, reader, and professor in the department, and eventually, its first female Head. Following her retirement, her continued influence was solidified by her appointment as Professor Emeritus, a testament to her enduring status as a pillar of the university’s academic community.
Scholarly and Literary Contributions
Zamani’s research was vast, covering classical Persian literature, Indo-Persian poetics, and the history of literary patronage. She authored over a dozen books, including Talib Aamili: Fikr-o-Fan (1978), which explored the life of a major Mughal court poet, and Partav-e-Tahqeeq (1985), a collection of her critical essays. A significant portion of her later work focused on the legacy of Munshi Naval Kishore, the 19th-century publishing magnate who was instrumental in preserving South Asian literary heritage. Her monographs and seminars on his contributions remain vital resources for researchers of the period.
Beyond academic prose, Zamani was a celebrated Urdu poet. Her lyrical ghazals, characterised by a refined classical elegance, were published in three major collections: Lakeerein Hat Ki (2008), Aabgeena (2014), and Ehsas-e-Bekaran(2016). Her global academic standing was further evidenced by her contributions to the Encyclopaedia Iranica, the definitive reference work for Persian civilisations.
Leadership and Recognition
Zamani was also a formidable figure in cultural administration. In 2018, she was appointed Chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, where she worked to promote the Urdu language and heritage. Her life’s work was celebrated through numerous prestigious accolades, including the Presidential Certificate of Honour, Iran’s Saadi Award, the Ghalib Award, and the Mir Academy Award.
Upon her passing on 13 June 2025, the literary community mourned a scholar who successfully bridged the gap between rigorous classical criticism and contemporary creative expression. Asifa Zamani is remembered not only for her individual brilliance but for her role in advancing the study of Persian and Urdu in modern India, ensuring these linguistic traditions remained vibrant and accessible for future generations.