Identity: A noted children's writer, critic, researcher, and journalist

Athar Parvez led a diverse and multidimensional life. He made significant contributions to children's literature and authored numerous engaging and informative books on a variety of subjects for young readers. Alongside teaching at the Department of Urdu at Aligarh Muslim University, he remained actively involved in literary criticism and research, producing several important works.

His prose, particularly in sketch writing and other forms, is marked by a lively, fluent, and uniquely engaging style. His book “Aligarh se Aligarh Tak” gained wide popularity, presenting vivid memories of his time in Aligarh. Other notable works include “Adab ka Mutala”, “Dastan ka Fun”, and “Adab Kise Kehte Hain”. He also edited important classical works such as “Fasana-e-Ajaib” and “Araish-e-Mehfil”. In addition, he translated several books, including multiple volumes of Panchatantra stories.

Athar Parvez was born on 25 September 1925 in Allahabad. His original name was Muhammad Usman, but after entering politics, he adopted the name “Athar Parvez.” The political climate of the time and his association with the Communist Party were among the reasons for this change. He began writing under this new name and eventually became widely known by it.

His ancestors belonged to Seohara in Bijnor district and had settled in Allahabad after 1857. His father was a prosperous businessman who held forest contracts in present-day Madhya Pradesh (then Central Provinces). When Athar Parvez was still an intermediate student, his father passed away, leaving him to face considerable hardships. He completed his further education at Aligarh and earned an M.A. in Persian literature in 1945.

Driven by his interest in journalism, he moved to Bombay, where he remained involved in trade union activities for about five years, during which he was imprisoned and also spent time underground. Later, he returned to Allahabad.

In 1950, he joined Maktaba Jamia at Jamia Millia Islamia and served as the editor of the children's magazine “Payam-e-Taleem”. In 1957, he joined Aligarh Muslim University, initially working at the General Education Centre and later being appointed in the Department of Urdu.

During his career, he visited Mauritius several times and played an important role in promoting Urdu language education there. He remained engaged in writing and research until the end of his life. His wife, Siddiqua Begum Seoharvi, was also a well-known progressive short story writer.

Death: Athar Parvez passed away on 10 March 1984.