Print

    Embracing Our Language: Urdu Literature Festival

    Written by: Sarah Khan
    Posted on: June 09, 2014 |

    Urdu Literature Festival, held in Islamabad on 30th May

    In Khaled Hosseini’s ‘And the Mountains Echoed’, Pari recollects her Baba’s words pointing out the value of learning one’s language: “He said that if culture was a house, then language was the key to the front door, to all the rooms inside. Without it, he said, you ended up wayward, without a proper home or a legitimate identity.” Lack of command on or inadequate familiarity with our language casts us adrift in an ever-changing world of multiplicity. The inability to access our own culture deprives us of our capacity to feel unique. Language makes us feel rooted, giving us a sense of belonging and a legitimate identity. And as a medium of expression, lacking the skill to explain oneself can be a serious impediment to intellectual and emotional growth.

    The satisfaction of being able to express oneself tastefully in one’s native language was best summed up by Faiz:

    Urdu Literature Festival

    Our habitual disdain for learning local languages is regrettable, but it is heartening to see, among us, various entities that are working towards the reversal of this unfortunate trend. One such laudable organization is the Parveen Shakir Trust, formed in 1994 in the memory of the eminent poetess Parveen Shakir, which aims to revive and promote Urdu literature in Pakistan.

    To meet the challenges faced by Urdu Language and to celebrate the beauty of Urdu poetry, the Parveen Shakir Trust organized an Urdu Literature Festival in Islamabad which kicked off on Friday, May 30th. Prominent writer and host of the event Mazhar-ul-Islam noted that this festival aimed to play a part in fostering interest and transferring the cultural legacy of our legendary poets and writers to the new generation.

    Mustansar Hussain Tarar graced the occasion with his towering presence and reminded us of simpler times when morning television shows were a graceful, unpretentious affair. Apart from numerous contemporary poets and writers, such prominent personalities as Talat Hussain, Qawwi Khan, and Amjad Islam Amjad were in attendance. Tributes were presented, through captivating recitals, to the soul-stirring poetry of Ghalib, Iqbal, Faiz, Munir Niazi and Parveen Shakir, the giants of Urdu literature.

    Urdu Literature Festival

    Session on Ghalib, (L to R) Professor Saeed Ahmed, Iqra Aslam, Talat Hussain, Ali Raza, Mazhar-ul-Islam, Majid Qureshi and Amjad Islam Amjad

    Urdu Literature Festival

    Ghalib- Writers and academics outlined the unique aspects of Ghalib’s poetry, one of which is that it is composed of multiple layers. A mystic will, for instance, find Divine love in the same verses in which a poet will glimpse his beloved. The panelists professed that new dimensions of Ghalib’s poetry still continue to be discovered, so much so that Ghalib-shanaasi (understanding Ghalib) can be termed as an entirely separate branch of knowledge in itself.  

    Is this Moses pleading before God to have Him reveal His glimpse, a Sufi yearning for a Union with his Lord, or an ordinary romantic longing to unveil the face of his beloved - who can tell?

    Urdu Literature Festival

    Engrossed Audience

    Iqbal- A spirit of reverence filled the air as the participants commenced discussing Iqbal, whose poetry is so prolific and profound that it will remain relevant for all the centuries to come. Every word he wrote prescribes a tireless dynamism and an aversion to stagnation, spiritual and communal: ‘Take your destiny in your own hands to unlock the doors of your true potential’ is his underlying message. Man is not meant to be a silent spectator, to only watch the events of this universe unfold; his decisions and actions continue to shape the world in important ways.

    Urdu Literature Festival
    Urdu Literature Festival

    Faiz- Faiz was eulogized by the participants for the way he romanticized resistance and revolution in his poetry. His famous poems Dua, Aaj Bazaar Mein, and Rabba Sacheya (the Punjabi version of Shikwa- man’s complaint to God) were presented.

    Talat Hussain’s majestic, mesmerizing voice, especially when reciting the closing verses of Faiz’s poem Tanhayi, left the audience spellbound: Apnay be-khawaab kivaaron ko muqaffal karlo, ab yahaan koi nahi koi nahi ayega- (Lock up your dreamless quarters now; no one, no one will come here again.

    Urdu Literature Festival

    Talat Hussain

    Urdu Literature Festival

    Munir Niazi- Munir Niazi was termed as the poet of all things simple yet beautiful. A panelist commented: “While other poets continued to write poetry, it was poetry that continued to write Munir Niazi.” That is to say, he expressed poignant thoughts with admirable ease.

    Urdu Literature Festival

    Parveen Shakir- Amjad Islam Amjad was all praise for Parveen Shakir, the person as well as the poet. He maintained that Parveen remains one of the few female poets of the sub-continent who serve as the quintessence of a new thinking woman. With feet firmly affixed in culture and tradition, her learned and illuminated mind transcended narrow bounds and explored new worlds, he remarked. We feel that Parveen Shakir’s poetry was like a breath of fresh air in a society that deems an expressive woman to be immodest.

    The Festival turned out to be a winsome experience that not only celebrated the poetry of our bygone legends but also gave a platform to emerging and contemporary poets to share their own compositions. The audience participated at intervals, making the session more lively and interactive.

    Urdu Literature Festival

    Audience Participation

    Urdu Literature Festival

    Guests at book-stalls

    Click to view picture gallery


    RELATED ARTICLES:

    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021