Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Jan 29: Exhibiting unmatchable felicity with language, particularly Urdu poetry’s metaphor as was prevalent about 78 years ago, Gulzar Zutshi Dehlavi’, speaking during an interaction organized by J&K Cultural Academy, here today, talked about Urdu and its unique quality of accepting elements from all other languages.
One of the foremost faces in Urdu and Persian poetry, Delhi based 89 years old poet, Pandit Anand Mohan Zutshi ‘Gulzar Dehlavi’ said that Urdu bridges social, cultural and religious barriers and is symbol of India’s secular and composite social fabric.
Dehlavi, whose forefathers had moved from Kashmir to Delhi to teach the Mughal princes, had come under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru and participated in the struggle for Independence. A defender of communal unity and harmony, he always remained in the forefront to fight against communal forces and strengthen the composite culture of India.
A living encyclopedia of Delhi’s cultural life and an activist who till date is dedicated to the cause of Urdu and ensure its due place in cultural life of the country, and having arranged, organized and attended more than 35,000 Urdu mushairas, conventions, conferences, seminars and receptions since 1943, Dehlavi with his vast knowledge on the subject of composite culture and poetry highlighted the role of Urdu in the freedom struggle of the country.
Talking about that Hindu writers have an indispensable contribution to Urdu literature, he said can you imagine Urdu poetry without Brij Narayan Chakbast, Naval Kishore, Daya Shankar Naseem, to name a few? He said the way Chakbast’s Urdu poems ‘Sarfaroshi Ki Tammana Aaj Hamare Dil Mein Hai, Dekhna Zor Kitna Baju-e-Qatil Mein Hai, had fired up the patriotic emotions of all Indians irrespective of cast and creed during freedom struggle, reflects the power of the language.
Saying that Urdu was a victim of political bigotry, he was, however, optimistic about language’s future and popularity in the light of so much literature available; the number of Urdu channels and newspapers are coming up. About 70 universities are offering PG courses in Urdu in India. Urdu mushairas are held in as many as 62 countries. It’s a globally accepted and applauded language, he said.
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