Urdu- Lets Project Our National Ideology

Every country has its own language which certainly moves through different evolutions to meet diversified communication needs for users. These evolutions bring in new vocabularies and phrases to cater literary, cultural and traditional shifts.

According to many scholars language is more than just a way to communicate feelings and thoughts; it is also responsible for depicting national ideology and principles. Many linguists have believed language as light of mind and expression of soul.

Urdu language is famous for its unique style, diversified expression and soft phrases. It has clearly intimated world with the creativity and humbleness of its speakers. Urdu literature is full of artistic work poets; writers and story tellers have proved the flexibility of language to express their feelings using simple yet very deep and inspirational vocabulary

Today we are facing critical challenges, with limited Urdu publications we are failing to maintain the image of creative ancestral. This downfall is because of inclination towards the westernization. Parents send their children to English medium schools where text revolves around Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf and many others in such circumstances how we can induce our national ideology in our children.  It is not obnoxious to study foreign literature however; we have to make sure our children are equally well informed about Iqbal, Mir and Sir Syed Ahmed khan.

Urdu has provided complete expression for its users despite through a critical time; it has preserved its beauty and unique style. Now it’s our duty that we work for its development to project our ideology and creativity.

Urdu Literature: Literary and Religious Scriptures

Urdu language has the honor of having one of the largest collections of works on Islamic Literature and Sharia. It seconds Arabic in its Islamic Literature and Sharia. The collection includes the translations as well as the interpretations of Quran. It also includes the commentaries on Hadith, Fiqah, history of Islam, spiritualism, Sufism and metaphysics.

There are number of classical texts from Persian and Arabic which have been translated to Urdu. These translations have been made, keeping in view the popularity of the language amongst the Muslims of South Asia.  The economic publishing along with the popularity of Urdu in southern region had paved paths for this literary work.  There have been number of famous Islamic books written in Urdu.

Astrology has been an important genus and lots of books have been written on it. Pundit Roop Chand Joshi was the first person to conquer this genus in Urdu and penned astrology in Urdu for the first time, in eighteenth century. The book “Lal Kitab” still holds popularity amongst the astrologers, since it was written at a time when Urdu was common in Brahman families as well.

Urdu literature is one of the most rich literature which has material and literature written for all genera. The great literary personalities in Urdu have been Munshi Premchand, Saadat Hassan Manto, Rajinder Singh Bedi, Krishan Chander and Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi. Starting from afsana, while encompassing novel and dramas, these writers have enriched Urdu Literature. These are the gems of Urdu language who have contributed their best in Urdu Literature.

Umaira Ahmed - Novelist Who Adds To the Beauty of Urdu Literature with Her Every New Novel

Urdu language enjoys a great legacy. Urdu, Persian, and Arabic are three languages that have always been attached to Muslim cultures. Urdu encompasses Arabic and Persian in it. Based upon two vast languages Persian and Arabic, Urdu genera are incomparable with any other language.

Urdu literature enjoys its treasure with enormous poets, novelists and writers. These poets, writers, and novelists have taken the language to a stage where it cannot be compared with any other language. Many people have confusion about Urdu and Hindi. The current Hindi used in the media of India (mainly Bollywood and television media) comprises of mostly Urdu words and few Hindi words.

Urdu writers, novelists, and poets have provided us with many great productions. Out of them, few have made their places on international grounds. Umaira Ahmed’s novel “Peer-e-Kamil” is one the extra-ordinary productions. Umaira Ahmed as a writer has made her place where she does not need any introduction or any appraise.

Umaira Ahmed is the name, which is the identity in itself when it comes to Urdu literature. She has given Urdu readers many extra ordinary projects, but Peer-e-Kamil stands out of all. This is a great treat from Umaira Ahmed to her readers. She has stated the story in a casual yet formal tone, while keeping the words simpler to let it understandable for every naïve and expert reader. This is the beauty of the writing of this great Novelist.

Urdu language is blessed to have such a novelist who is adding beauty to its literature with every new novel of hers, which hits the markets.

Urdu Dastan- With flavor of Magical characters

Urdu expression is unique; it has ability to express all the sentiment and emotions with the diversified vocabulary and catchy sentence structures. Urdu literature has moved through different evolutions with time to create legacy of beautiful, versatile and classical literature.

Urdu poetry, drama and journalism are full of absolute flair to give readers a new learning experience for extensive knowledge and insight on variety of subjects. Urdu literature has targeted variety of subjects from society.

Urdu literature was initially more composed of poetry than the prose. Most of the subjects in the prose were based on ancient epic stories renowned as Dastan. These Dastan revolved around the characters with influential and magical powers.

Dastan is originated from Iran which later became popular in the Urdu literature. In typical Dastan, story is based on the real or imaginary event happened somewhere. Dastan tells the story through different characters their roles and influential Powers in the story. 

Famous Urdu Dastans are:

• Nau tarz-i murassa‘ - Husain ‘Atā Khān Tahsīn

• Nau ā'īn-i hindī (Qissa-i Malik Mahmūd Gīti-Afroz) - Mihr Chand Khatrī

•  Jazb-i ‘ishq - Shāh Husain Haqīqat

Dastan has special place in Urdu literature. It has entertainment and message for its readers. Unique style of expression has great appeal for readers to keep them interested throughout the story. Conclusions are told with the element of wit and entertainment to preserve the beauty of interaction.

Urdu- Despite Critical Challenges It Has Managed To Preserve Its Beauty Of Expression

Urdu language has faced great challenges since its evolution. Especially, in the Subcontinent for many political gains people have suppressed its progress. Even for now Indian Government has failed assuring perfect implementation of Urdu as Official language in different parts of India. 

In the history different measure were taken to fight against the Urdu aggression. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan played a key role for projecting the beauty and strength of the language with his extensive Urdu literary creations.

After his death Progressive Writers Movement was another strong effort from Urdu Creative Fraternities. This movement produced finest work of poetry, Journalism and Drama.  This Movement further became inspiration for coming writers and poets.

Later in 1960 another movement started with the name of modernist Urdu Movement, famous key players of this movement were Shamsus Rehman Farooqi, Zafer Iqbal, Nasir Kazmi, Bashir Baber and Shaharyar. This movement paid more emphasis on Symbolic and indirect expressions. Further, movement was successful in presenting the classical culture of the Indian society.

Today Urdu is facing different kinds of challenges. We are failing to influence people for adding value to Urdu literature. Every year we come across limited Urdu publications which is a concerning issue. Cultural shift has made us reluctant to read and follow our creative fraternities.

It is our responsibility that we should make our generations aware of beauty and versatility of language with every day reading of marvelous Urdu literature. 

Life Sketch Of Ahmad Bashir – A Prominent Name Of Urdu Press In Pakistan

Ahmad Bashir (24^th March 1923 – 25 December 2004) holds a prominent and distinct position amongst writers, journalists, and intellectuals of Urdu language; his contributions in journalism are of great significance and practicality. His devotedness towards his aspiration of progression of new and different genres of Urdu language shall always be remembered, praised and acknowledged by the lovers of this language.

Childhood and Education

Gujranwala (currently in Pakistan) held to be the birth place of this defiant genius on March 24, 1923. He completed his graduation from Srinagar and headed towards Bombay following a dream of sparkling success in acting (since Bombay was film capital of that time), but soon found himself writing for movie magazines. He continued with this life style till the partition of subcontinent into India and Pakistan. After partition he settled permanently into Pakistan.

Eminent Works

In Pakistan, Ahmad Bashir made his living by working for several leading newspapers, however, he is well known for his great and daring work while working for Daily Imroze as a sub-editor. It was there that feature writing was introduced for the first time by him in Urdu press of Pakistan. 

Ahmad Bashir also pursued his fondness of film industry and got formal training in movie direction from Hollywood on state scholarship. On his return he also worked in Department of Films and Publications, then also became a part of NAFDEC (National Film Development Corporation). He resigned from his services to the government during the martial law imposed by General Zia ul Haq in late 1970s.

Demise

Ahmad Bashir lived a happy, joyous and blunt life of defiant genius. He was also very close friend of other contemporary famous Urdu writers with the likes of Mumtaz Mufti and Ibn-e-Insha. He died on 7^th September, 2004 in Lahore from pancreatic cancer, but his contributions for Urdu press shall be remembered forever.