Nigar, Lucknow

In February 1922, Nigar was launched. The cover of the magazine bore the inscription Majalla Ilm-o-Adab (Journal of Knowledge and Literature). The chief editor was Allama Niaz Fatehpuri, while Makhmoor Akbarabadi was listed as the associate editor. Allama Niaz Fatehpuri named the magazine Nigar after being inspired by the revolutionary and romantic Turkish poetess, Nigar Bint Usman. It was an important Urdu magazine, primarily focusing on significant literary, cultural, religious, historical, and social discussions and issues. One of its notable columns was titled Ma Lahu wa Ma Alayhi, where poetic merits and flaws were critically analyzed. Unfortunately, this tradition has now faded, leading to the decline of the practice of literary refinement. The magazine had a profound impact on literary minds. In particular, its literary and religious discussions helped break the stagnation that had taken hold of both the literary and religious communities. Allama Niaz Fatehpuri gave Nigar a scholarly and intellectual dimension. He did not want the magazine to be limited solely to literary topics and discussions; rather, his aim was for Nigar to explore all branches of knowledge and the arts.