The Role Of Short Story Writing In Progression Of Urdu Literature

The progress, prosperity, and propagation of any language is greatly dependent on its literature. Luckily, Urdu has been a language that got assistance of literary brilliance of countless devotees whose work in different genres of Urdu literature has offered it quite a significant position in world literature. Almost all major genres of literature are treasured with unique and high quality work from Urdu language lovers.

Short story writing, termed as “Afsana Naveesi” in Urdu language, is a popular genre of literature in almost all the major languages of the world having their share in literature. Short story or “afsana” has become a permanent part of Urdu literature for well over 100 years by now, and has matured into a highly developed and liked genre of Urdu literature.

Different times and generations have added different dimensions to short story discipline of Urdu language. This century of progression has exposed “afsana” with certain unique characteristics. It has developed under the influence of different phases, such as, initial romantic period, followed by progressive writing era, modernistic writing era, and the ongoing period.  

Munshi Premchand set the strong foundations of Urdu short story writing around early 20^th century by producing short story marvels like “Kafan”, “Poos Ki Raat”, etc. His footsteps were followed by the likes of great authors including Krishan Chandar, Ghulam Abbas, Sadat Hassan Manto, Bedi, and Ismat Chughtai, to name a few.

The next generation of Urdu short story tellers comprised of Quratulain Haider, Jogindar Paul, Ashfaq Ahmad, Mumtaz Mufti, Qudrat Ullah Shahab, etc. They inspired current generation of writers like Neelam Ahmad Bashir, Zahida Hina, and Paigham Afaqui, to name a few.

Thus, these are all the devoted souls who contributed in progression of “afsana naveesi” in particular and Urdu literature in general.

Urdu: Still Struggling In India!

Urdu has always been a point of debate for the linguists and literary people. One of the most important points in this discussion is if Urdu belonged to a religion or region. Urdu has always been attributed to Muslims and religion Islam.  One of the reasons might be that Urdu was devised for the Muslim army initially.  Urdu is still struggling for its status in the whole world.

Not every language has been attributed to religion, but every language has been related or attributed to region. Javed Akhtar, famous Urdu poet said” other languages belong to a region but unfortunately Urdu is the only language which has been assigned a religion”. He further added that Urdu is the only language that talked about secularism and liberalism.

Another famous Urdu writer, Akhtarul Wasey, says that "Urdu language does not belong to a religion. None of the languages need religion but all religions need a language." Urdu being the official and national language of Pakistan has gained satisfactory status in the country. However, it is still struggling in India.

This is the language which showed its extreme power during independence. English has always been hated in this region, if we turn back the pages of history. Urdu, on the other hand side, has always been liked by this region, no matter in the form of Urdu or Hindi. Dr. Hameedullah Bhatt, famous Urdu literary personality, said that, "Urdu will be ahead of all the languages in future because future lies in convergence,"

Languages of Pakistan

There are two major languages that are being used in Pakistan. Urdu being the major and English is the official language in Pakistan. Besides these two languages, there are provincial languages spoken in Pakistan, mainly Pashto, Balochi, Sindhi and Punjabi.  Saraiki, Hindko and Kashmiri are also being spoken at local level in Pakistan.

The languages that are spoken in Pakistan belong to Indo-Iranian Branch of the Indo-European language family. Urdu is spoken by a majority of nearly 7.57 % population in Pakistan. The majority of the population speaks Punjabi, Punjab being the biggest province of the country. Nearly 44.4 % of the population speak Punjabi. The second mostly spoken language in Pakistan is Pashto. The Pashto Belt is nearly 15.42 % of the total population, followed by Sindhi, Saraiki and then Balochi.

Though Urdu is not spoken in masses, yet it enjoys the status of being national language of Pakistan.  It the mother tongue of nearly 8 % of the population, but it is understood by masses.  Now that the literacy rate of Pakistan is improving, it also strengthens the internal communication through channelizing the communication through mutually understood language.

Urdu enjoys the history of being one of the developmental languages, which was introduced during the Islamic conquests of the South Asian subcontinent.  It was devised for the betterment or improvement of the communication of the Muslim Army which belonged to different origins. Urdu itself is a Turkish word, which means army.

Ashfaq Ahmed – One Of The Founders Of Pakistani Urdu Literature

No matter how far away you are from home, your national language is something that you will always miss. Same is the case with Urdu language. Being the national language of more than 17 million people, it is one of the most spoken languages on earth. The rise of Urdu language started with the founding of Pakistan. However, it was numerous great names and their great contributions towards Urdu literature that has made this language as amazing and diverse as it is today.

Speaking about Urdu language, one name cannot be filed to mention and that is Ashfaq Ahmed. One of the few people who have the biggest contribution in diversifying the horizons of Urdu literature and giving people and the world a new insight towards Urdu language.

Ashfaq Ahmed was born in 1925 on August 22, in Garhmukteshwar village, Ghaziabad, British India. He received his early education from his home district. Before the independence of Pakistan, he migrated to Lahore and later on completed his Masters in Urdu Literature from Government College Lahore.

Ashfaq Ahmed had a strong command on his writing skills and he showed it by giving his readers a wide range of options from short stories to novels. Among his notable work in Urdu literature, Zaviya, Aik Mohabbat So Afsanay, Gadaria, Talqeen Shah, Mun Chalay Ka Sauda, Hairat Kadah, Safar Dar Safar, Tota Kahani and Baba Sahiba are some of them. He was simply amazing with a pen and all of his work will always remain with his readers.

Enjoy The Beauty Of Language: Do Not Translate Poetry Because It Will Lose Its Beauty Otherwise

There are number of pieces of literature from Urdu poetry, which have been translated into different languages. There are many pieces of work that have been translated from different languages into Urdu like from Khusrau in Urdu. For example:

Baghanimat shumar aie dost agar yafta ee,

Ruey zeba-o-raushan-o-ayyam-e-bahar.

This verse has been translated into  “It is sheer good fortune if one gains the sight of the beloved, of good wine and the balmy days of spring.”. The translation never produces satisfactory results at all. Usually the translation ends up in substandard material.

Translation in poetry never ends up in poetry or poetic verses. The translation finishes up on explaining the meaning of the verse or stanza but nothing more than that. Sometimes translation might end up in a piece of work, worthy of being called poetry, but very rarely and only when the translator is god gifted to deal both languages.

Urdu’s culture has strongly been influenced by Persian. Poetry in both these languages has its own importance. Ghazal has been an important genus in Persian and so it enjoys the same importance in Urdu as well. If we look at another master piece from Bedil, the sufistic poet of Patna who writes:

Bedil, the sufistic poet from Patna, writes:

Dast-e-man-o-damaan-e-hasrat kay dar bazm-e-wisal,

Umr beguzasht, wa hamaan chashm-e-nadeedan baaz bood.

(or)

Sarmaya-e-aagahi gar aiinadariha ast,

Dar ma-o-tau cheezi neest nazdeektar az doori

These verses have special importance which cannot be maintained if the verses have been translated because the words used in Persian, cannot produce the same meaning, if translated in Urdu.

Urdu-Let’s Work For Its Progress

Urdu is one of those influential languages which have provided a versatile and soft expression for all of its users. Urdu language has always provided a unique and modern expression for diversified subjects of life.

Since its evolution, opponents have tried to remove its essence and beauty with controversies to abandon its use as a language of choice by millions. Through different tough times it has managed to keep its uniqueness and legacy of vocabulary.

It is apparent whenever, Urdu language has come across challenges; its users have defended its existence with unique literal creations.

Famous poets like Iqbal, Meer, Ghalib and others have proved the absolute compatibility of language for all type of expressions. Urdu is simple yet very rich language. Using it, critical and sensitive subjects can be expressed softly and wittily.

Today the use of Urdu language is losing its soul as common communication medium. We see less Urdu publications every year. It is our duty to protect its existence, so we should work hard to keep our national inheritance in its true form.

According to recent news in the “Times of India”, Sapara, a true lover of URDU Language, travels 50 km daily to teach Urdu language to university students. He said that Urdu is rich and deep language, its expression is unique and marvelous. He showed his worries on critical factor that there are hardly few good Urdu teachers left in the world.

It is responsibility of users to work in alliance for the development and progress of this language.

Vocational Training For All Urdu Speaking Youngsters

In New Delhi recently, it is announced soon there will be vocational training institute for all of the youngsters to equip themselves with the modern Urdu language. This will help them at work place and in their lives being fulfilling all the needs for effective communication.

According to HRD minister Kapil Sibal; Urdu language is a rich language, it has ability to meet need for all type of communications. Language is true depiction of culture and values of its speakers.

He further said it is important to link up Urdu with the Education and Job. It will help language to see new innovations and people would be motivated to learn language with skills and knowledge to perform well at job place.

Gathering was arranged to pay tribute to Maulana Azad and his contribution for Urdu language. Sibal was awarded with an award for his contribution for Urdu Language. Other speakers had appreciated Kapil Sibal and insisted steps should be taken to favor Urdu.

Today it is responsibility of Urdu speaker he/ she should work for the betterment of language. All steps would be taken to implement language as official in its true sense. We should induce interest in our young generation to read and contribute for its progress.

Urdu is a versatile language and we all have to take out this message to outer world with creative and informative publications.

Let’s work together understanding the responsibility to leave a legacy for our generation like we had from ancestors.

For more information on Urdu you can search Different online Urdu Portals.