Identity: Popular Novelist, Editor, Children’s Author, and Founder of 'Nasim Book Depot', Lucknow.

Nasim Anhonvi was a prominent and influential figure in Urdu literature and the world of publishing. He not only achieved a distinguished position in novel writing but also played a pivotal role in the promotion of Urdu literature through the establishment of a major publishing house.

Nasim Anhonvi was born in 1904 in the town of Anhona, Raebareli. At a young age, he moved to Lucknow with his father, Hashmat Ali. As his father was an ordinary teacher, his childhood was spent in financial hardship. Despite this, he pursued his education with diligence and reached the Intermediate level. He carved his own path through courage, hard work, and determination. His passion for reading journals and magazines ignited his literary spark, leading him toward the craft of novel writing.

Initially, his writings gained popularity by appearing in various journals. Later, he became associated with the monthly magazine Inkishaf and was appointed its editor at a very young age. Through his talent, he made the magazine popular within a short span.

Later, on the advice of Allama Niyaz Fatehpuri, he launched the monthly magazine Hareem for the reform of women. Its editorial, titled 'Lamaat', reflected his intellectual and reformative visions.

In 1928, he established his personal institution, 'Nasim Book Depot', on Latouche Road, Lucknow. This institution was not merely a bookstore but became a literary academy. From here, he published more than a thousand standard books, including Urdu translations of world literary masterpieces.

He also launched the monthly Sarpanch, which is considered the first Urdu film magazine. Additionally, he started a magazine for children called Kaliyan, which featured stories, articles, and translations.

Nasim Anhonvi not only published his own works but also introduced countless new writers. Many renowned authors emerged from his institution. Along with this, he nurtured a group of female writers, including prominent novelists and storytellers like Razia Sajjad Zaheer, Hijab Imtiaz Ali, Saliha Abid Hussain, Atiya Parveen, Iffat Mohani, Masroor Jahan, and Saeed Naz.

He also published Urdu translations of novels from various languages, thereby expanding the horizons of Urdu literature. He himself authored approximately 27 novels.

He had a special affinity for natural scenery, particularly Nainital, which was his favorite destination. He often stayed there during the summers and penned many of his novels by the lakeside, with the novel Kehkashan being particularly noteworthy.

His first wife passed away early, with whom he had a son, Shamim Anhonvi, who later served as the editor of the magazine Kaliyan. He had three children from his second marriage.

In the final phase of his life, he suffered from asthma, yet he remained associated with his publishing house until his last days. In 1995, a fire at Nasim Book Depot destroyed precious manuscripts and archives, and eventually, by 1998, Nasim Book Depot and its associated magazines ceased operations.

Death: Nasim Anhonvi passed away on March 4, 1989.