The Beauty of Urdu

Urdu hai jis ka naam, hum jante hn daagh , Saray jahan main dhoom hamari zaban ki hai

‘’A different language is a different vision of life’’ says Federico Fellini. Every language is distinct and it distinguishes itself through its vocabulary, dialects, speech, literature and expression. The words, act as a support system to language by rendering it meaning and comprehension. It is fascinating to think that words, though sometimes unspoken, often echoes in our mind and leaves a lasting impression on our lives. It occurs as no less than a blessing that how a tool fashioned out of man’s need to communicate and function often ends up forming bonds that go beyond the margins of expression.

Significance of Urdu language Urdu has an unmatched and evergreen beauty that has not faded even after centuries. It is, instead, growing more beautiful and magnificent with time. Though, Urdu came after many other renowned languages (French, English, Sanskrit, and German) were established, it has successfully grown strong roots in the Asian region of the world in a short period of time.

Origin of Urdu language.

Urdu beautifully blends in its molds extracts of different languages such as Sanskrit, German, Persian, Arabic, Ibrani (Spoken in Iran), Sindhi and few others. The birth of this exotic language dates back to the second world war, when troops from different countries gathered and involved in the process communication. It was difficult, perhaps, for people to adapt themselves to this diversity in the realm of language, but with time, linguistic expanded its horizon and Urdu made its place in family of South-Asian languages. Today, Urdu is spoken by 58 million people and ranks as the 22nd most spoken language in the world. Islamic republic of Pakistan has declared Urdu as their National Language.

Urdu literature. Urdu literature has always interested and thrilled South-Asian writers. Emerged even before the partition of 1947, Urdu has remarkably influenced the work of many Indian novelists, drama-writers, satirists, humorists and poets. The language ties the bond of two nations together in many nuanced ways. Its content contextualize itself both in the green lands of Pakistan and the vibrant farms of India. Many renowned Urdu writers like Saadat hussain manto, Mirza Ghalib, Faiz ahmed Faiz, Deputy nazir ahmed, Mir taqi mir, Ismail mirthi, Nasir kazmi, Akbar illahbadi, Raja Daagh dehalvi were Indians. After partition, some Urdu linguists migrated to Pakistan from India and continued working for and with Urdu. Interestingly, their pre-partition experience reflected itself in their content. One such example is the famous fiction named ‘’TOBA TEK SINGH’’ by Saadat Hussain Manto. Manto, here, captures the turmoil and struggle of partition through patients of a mental asylum. The narrative tells the tale of migration of those patients to their country of origin. Manto’s thoughts about partition are expressed through the character of Bishan Singh, who is immensely attached with native town TOBA TEK SINGH and isn’t willing to leave Pakistan. He expresses his trauma through his own odd words, “Upar di gur gur di annexe di manjh wich toba tek singh nu wich hun bharat te hn Pakistan”. This brilliant fictional work of Manto is still remembered and celebrated by many in both India and Pakistan, commemorating the ordeal of people, both during the partition and after that.

Some other famous writings involves ‘MIRAT-UL-UROOS’ by deputy Nazir Ahmed, with the character of two sisters Akbari and Asghariand, tracing their identity formation at different points in their life.

Urdu Poetry

Urdu has been extensively used for years, in prose and poetry. Poetry in Urdu is called ‘Shayari’. Some of the most honorable Urdu poets’ name includes the names of Mirza Ghalib, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Allama Iqbal, Parveen Shakir, Akbar Illahbadi, Nasir Kazmi, Mirza Daagh Dehlvi, Mir Taqi Mir, Ismail Mirthi and many others. Their poetry has beautifully pondered about almost every facet of human life. From spiritual love to human love, from religion to the world, from youth to old age, from patriotism to revolution, Urdu poetry has touched and moved different sides of society and self.

Urdu language has emerged itself not only as a significant means of communication, but as a tool the rekindle and rejoice the similarity and diversity Indo-Pak culture.

‘’Urdu language is so sweet like honey, so pure like true love , so beautiful like a blooming rose and so touching like breeze’’.