By-Jayant Krishna
Historian Saleem Kidwai’s death at the age of 70 is devastating, to say the least. Hailing from the illustrious Kidwai family of Baragaon, Barabanki with roots in landed aristocracy, he remained the go-to person for scholars with an interest in the region’s culture and history. Saleem bhai’s sensitive persona as well as his home reflected an old-world charm that is fast getting extinct and cast into oblivion.
Some people felt that Saleem bhai remained reserved, a trait often associated with academic arrogance. The fact remains that he never shunned people but did expect a certain purity of thought in people he opened up to.
His demeanour reflected the catholicity of a researcher and he was quite friendly with people who could relate to his cultural rootedness and scholastic acumen.
After his professorial stint with the University of Delhi’s Ramjas College, Saleem bhai’s body of work as a translator from Urdu to English was outstanding, including Malika Pukhraj's autobiography ‘Song Sung True’, ‘The Mirror of Wonders’ by Syed Rafiq Hussain, Quratulain Hyder’s ‘Chandni Begum’ and ‘Safina-e-Gham-e-Dil’. He wrote some very interesting books, including ‘Islam, America and South Asia’.
Saleem Kidwai was among the first few academics in India to publicly speak on gay rights and also actively wrote in what was considered taboo in the country. He co-edited a series of books ‘Same-sex Love in India’ with Ruth Vanita. He exemplified Carol Hanisch’s idea that ‘the personal is political’. In addition to his steadfast support to causes including the abolition of Section 377, Saleem bhai was frank in sharing his experience as a member of the LGBT community — a source of courage and self-respect for many.
Saleem Kidwai had an academic interest in the history of the tawaifs, the courtesan singers. He also shared a very special bond with the legendary singer Begum Akhtar.
His pro-active efforts, supported by Shanti Hiranand, rescued Begum’s mazaar in Lucknow’s Thakurganj from obscurity as the Sadbhavana Trust and Sanatkada led its conservation.
Saleem Kidwai last visit to my home was on March 14, 2020, just before the lockdown, along with the author Veena Oldenburg. Those three golden hours just melted away as we reminisced the forgotten Lucknow of yesteryears. I vividly recollect another delightful evening at my home a few years ago with him, Rosie Llewellyn-Jones and Ram Advani; and yet another with the actor Farooque Shaikh at Saleem Bhai’s tasteful home. The list is endless.
I loved Saleem bhai’s brilliant translation of ‘Chandni Begum’ in English and published a book review in 2017.
His eyes used to light up while discussing the life and times of Begum Akhtar. We last interacted on August 11 this year, just a few days before he passed away. There are numerous memories which now stand frozen in time, almost fossilised. Lucknow has lost one of its finest gems. Rest in peace Saleem bhai.
The writer heads the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in UP.
