Writing Urdu in Devnagri script

A very common perception is that the Urdu language is written in the Persian script only. However, this is not true. There are a total of four scripts in which the Urdu language is written. The names of those four scripts in which the Urdu language is written are Persian, Kaithi, Devnagri, and Roman.

Writing Scripts of Urdu Language

Many people are not familiar with the fact that the Urdu language is written in four different scripts. Especially in Pakistan, it is a common perception that the Urdu language is written only in the Persian script.

The following are the four types of scripts in which the Urdu language is written.

Urdu Literature in India

The 18th century saw the elegance of words and many types of writing like Ghazals, nazms, Doha etc. came into make use of. The beginning of 19th century saw the prosperous works of Urdu being converted into modern Urdu in the Fort William College, Calcutta. The assonance poses of ancient period also blossomed in the early 19th century. The last Divine Book revealed to humanity, Quran was interpreted into Urdu language in the year 1803. In the Present times, the Osmania University founded in 1918 in Hyderabad uses Urdu language as the medium of instruction of education.

Urdu poets that will be or have been discussed in my blog are as follows

Momin Khan Momin
Momin Khan Momin, a great Urdu Poet of 19th century, was born in respectable Delhi family of physicians in the year 1801. He used "Momin" as his takhallus. It is the Urdu of 'nom de plume'. His elementary and higher educations were completed in various Madarsa in Delhi where he studied Arabic and Persian. Momin Khan Momin was gifted with a multifaceted personality.

Urdu Poets in India

Urdu poetry is one of the most glowing and vibrant fields of poetry that is read with much eagerness and high regard even in the modern world. The role these Urdu language poets has played is huge and worth to be pleased about. They have encouraged and continued to motivate many philosophers. Their works continue to enchant and astound readers even today.

Nida Fazli: A Great Urdu Poet of the Present Day

In the present day Nida Fazli is well thought-out a giant name in Urdu poetry mainly after the deaths of whole generation of expert Urdu poets in the last couple of years. But this is not to put down Nida's input to literature.

Tribute to Kavish Badri: a unique Ghazal

Kavish Badri, the prominent Urdu poet is no more. He is no longer with us; he was deceased on May 28, 2010 in his native place Ambur. Born on February 3, 1928, his real name was V.P. Abdur Razaq, came into view as a great poet. He was known to be erratic, self-complacency and emotional Urdu poet who did not seem to have “double standards”.

Saving the Urdu writings from plagiarism

Plagiarism is a huge problem in Pakistan. Not only that the Urdu literature is plagiarized but also there are many self-proclaimed Urdu writers. These writers constantly steal the literary works from other languages and translate them to Urdu.

A very blatant example of this trend is portrayed by the informative Urdu digests and magazines in Pakistan. They pick up entire articles from Readers’ Digest, BBC’s official website and other such magazines, websites etc. They just translate them to Urdu word by word and publish them. They never give any credit to the original writers of the articles and their actual publishers.

Ibn-e-Safi’s novels are gems of Urdu literature

This was a long past due post and was deferred due to some reasons. Renowned Urdu scholar from Germany, Christina Oesterheld said that the characters of Ibn-e-Safi’s novels live a Western lifestyle but are in essence Oriental when it comes to their behavior towards women.

Why Don’t Readers Own Urdu Novels?

The Urdu popular fiction has a very ardent fan base. Of course, it is called popular fiction only because it is very popular as compared to the literary works.

It is of no doubt that, the Urdu popular fiction is seeing great writers. These writers, mostly females, are doing their work very dutifully. They point out different social issues very successfully. It is needless to say that they are playing a great role in imprinting a positive impact on the society.

Abul Kalam Azad

Azad was one of the most important arranger of the Dharasana Satyagraha in 1931, and appeared as one of the most significant national leaders of the time, notably leading the causes of Hindu-Muslim unity as well as supporting secularism and socialism. He served as Congress President from 1940 to 1945, during which the Quit India revolt was launched and Azad was locked up with the whole Congress leadership for three years. Azad became the most well-known Muslim adversary of the demand for a separate Muslim state of Pakistan and served in the acting national government.

Late Dr Wazir Agha’s early life

It is very excruciating to put in the word ‘late’ to Dr Wazir Agha’s name, who was a great intellectual. Dr Agha’s expedition in literature is appropriately adds up by his couplet: kehney ko chandgaam tha yeh arsa-e-hyayat, lekin tamaam umr hi chalna para mujhey.

Late Dr Wazir Agha’s Career and work

Dr Agha was introduced to literary circles in 1948 when his poetry was published in Maulana Salahuddin Ahmad’s then prominent literary magazine ‘Adabi Duniya’. Afterward, he served as the co-editor of the magazine from 1960 to 1963.

He did his graduation from the Government College, Jhang and later masters in Economics from Government College, Lahore. He was awarded the degree of doctorate by the University of Punjab in Urdu Literature (humour) in 1956.

The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL)

NCPUL is an independent body under the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), Department of Higher Education, and Government of India. The Sole purpose of this department is to promote, develop and propagate Urdu language; Council started its function in Delhi on April 1, 1996. In its power as the National Nodal Agency for the encouragement of the Urdu language NCPUL is the principal coordinating and monitoring authority for endorsement of Urdu language and Urdu education.

Famous Urdu Novels by Umera Ahmed

Umera Ahmed is a very popular Urdu story and novel writer. Although these days she is not writing for the print media and only for the TV, however she has produced some great Urdu stories and novels before.

The following is a list of the two most famous Urdu novels along with brief descriptions written by Umera Ahmed.

Renowned poet Abdullah Kamaal

Most important Urdu poet Abdullah Kamal is no more. He passed away on May 18, 2010 in Mumbai. He suffered a cardiac arrest.

Kamal was amongst the last generation of Urdu poets in subcontinent that not only had complete domination over Urdu elocution but also made full use of the inheritance of Urdu poetry from Wali to Meer and Ghalib to Nasir Kazmi.

Kids buried between other languages and mother tongue Urdu

“It would be good if these people were provided with electricity, water and independence, and the opportunity to speak their mother tongues and educate their children.” Jalal Talabani

The Indian subcontinent is seeing trends of mass immigration. One side effect of the mass immigration is the deterioration of the Urdu language, the mother tongue of most of the immigrants. Especially the people of Pakistan are emigrating at an alarmingly high rate. Now in America and Europe there are many second and third generation Pakistanis.

Google's Tool to Convert Roman Urdu Text to Urdu Text

There are several reasons behind Google’s so much popularity and penetration. The masses love it. This is because it is highly efficient and also because it listens to the masses. Google has excellent teams, which are always looking out for things that most of the communities want. Google maps tool is an excellent example of that.

Publishing the Urdu Literature

Pakistan is a country with very low literacy rate. The national language of Pakistan is Urdu. Therefore, it is natural that people do not know English or other languages more than they know Urdu. However when it come to the production of the Urdu literature the things are not very encouraging. Of course, the reason is the very low literacy rate in the country.