Ghazal Ka Fun

Before discussing the ghazal, I would like to share two of my own couplets: The ghazal encompasses both the self and the universe, It holds my story, and it holds yours as well. Suroor, its subtle hints outweigh grand epics, The ghazal is the ultimate

Tanqeed Kya Hai?

Western influence has brought several welcome additions to Urdu, the most significant of which is the art of criticism. However, this does not mean that Urdu literature lacked critical consciousness prior to Western influence, or that there were no discussions

Adab Mein Jadidiyat Ka Mafhoom

Modernity encompasses historical, philosophical, and literary dimensions. However, it is a relative concept, not an absolute one. There have been figures in the past who appear modern even today. Conversely, there are people today who still cling to

Taraqqi Pasand Tahreek Par Ek Nazar

Shayari Aur Nasr Ka Farq

Experts in stylistics and structuralism argue that prose is the "norm," and poetry is essentially a "pause" or "deviation" from this norm. Using surveys and statistics of European classical, romantic, and modern poetry, they have demonstrated that the

Fiction Kya? Kyun? Aur Kaise?

D.H. Lawrence says, "I am a living man, and as long as it is in my power, I intend to remain a living man. For this reason, I am a novelist. And because I am a novelist, I consider myself superior to any saint, scientist, philosopher, or poet, who are

Lucknow Aur Urdu Adab

The literature of any era reflects its culture. From the mid-eighteenth century to the late nineteenth century, Lucknow held a prominent position in the culture of Northern India. Following the death of Emperor Aurangzeb, Delhi's status as the center

Urdu Tanqeed Eik Jaayeza

Iqbal Aur Unke Nukta Cheen

Urdu Shayari Mein Tasawwuf Ki Riwayat

Iqbal Aur Tasawwuf

Robert Frost’s quarrel with life was that of a lover. Iqbal’s quarrel with Sufism (*Tasawwuf*) is much the same. Perhaps Alam Khundmiri had this very point in mind when he discussed Iqbal’s simultaneous attraction to and evasion of Sufism. In any case,

Urdu Aur Hindustani Tahzeeb

On the surface, there should have been no need to say anything about the relationship between Urdu and Indian culture, as Urdu is a modern Indian language and a magnificent manifestation of our composite culture. However, certain circles have expressed

Maulana Azad Ka Usloob-e-nasr

Meer Ke Mutaale'e Ki Ahmiyat

Iqbal Ki Siyaasi Fikr: Eik Taaeraana Nazar

Urdu-e-moalla

In the history of Urdu literature, several magazines stand out as particularly noteworthy, including *Dilgudaz*, *Makhzan*, *Urdu-e-Mualla*, *Zamana*, *Nigar*, and *Urdu*. Among these, *Urdu-e-Mualla* reigns supreme in many respects. Maulana Hasrat launched

Hamaari Mushtarak Tahzeeb Aur Urdu Ghazal

Iqbal, Faiz Aur Hum

I am grateful to the officials and members of the Urdu Markaz London for inviting me to London to deliver the inaugural Faiz Memorial Lecture on the occasion of Faiz's first death anniversary. Initiating a lecture series in memory of Faiz is a commendable

Ghalib Ki Shaayeri Ki Maa'naviyyat

Hindustan Ki Jang-e-aazaadi Mein Urdu Ka Hissa

Today, a propaganda campaign is being waged in certain circles claiming that the entire literary heritage of Urdu is foreign, and that its writers and poets look toward foreign lands rather than their own homeland. It is alleged that those who read and

Haali Ke Muqaddama-e-sher-o-shayari Ki Maa'naviyyat

Imla Aur Rasm-e-khat

Respected President, Chief Guest, Director of the Urdu Teaching and Research Center, ladies and gentlemen! I am grateful to the Director of the Urdu Teaching and Research Center, Lucknow, for inviting me to inaugurate this important seminar. Since its

Urdu Shayari Mein Khamariyaat

Why is wine mentioned so frequently in poetry and literature? You should ask that old sinner who is not satisfied with merely being intoxicated by the goblet of wine, but wishes to drown in it entirely. I am a man of the *Taubat-un-Nasuh* (The Repentance

Urdu Tanqeed Ke Buniyaadi Afkaar

Literary criticism in Urdu is a legacy of the West. While a critical consciousness existed prior to this—manifesting partly in the subtle observations and insights of the artists themselves, and partly in the praise and critique found in traditional

Akbar Ki Zaraafat Aur Uski Ahmiyat

Iqbal Aur Naee Mashraqiyyat

Iqbal has said about himself: *Kahta hoon wahi baat samajhta hoon jise haq* *Main ablah-e-masjid hoon na tehzeeb ka farzand* [I say only that which I believe to be the truth; I am neither the simpleton of the mosque nor the child of civilization.] The

Hasrat Ki Ishqiya Shayari: Meri Nazar Mein

Faani: Shakhsiyat Aur Shayari

Adab Mein Izhaar-o-iblaagh Ka Mas'ala

Literature is fundamentally defined by the expression of human emotions and feelings. This expression is the result of a creative impulse and inclination that ordinary people rarely possess. While ordinary people experience emotions, they cannot always

Ghazal Ki Zabaan Aur Iqbal Ki Ghazal Ki Zabaan

There is a couplet by Iqbal: *Koi dil-kusha sada ho, Ajami ho keh Taazi* [The ghazal has no specific language, nor am I aware of any such language; It should simply be a heart-winning voice, whether Persian or Arabic.] So, does the language of the

Ghalib Aur Jadeed Zahan

Adab Mein Qadron Ka Mas'ala

Iqbal once said, "When the poet's eyes are open, society's eyes are closed, and when the poet's eyes close, society's eyes open." I am not repeating this quote as an absolute rule, but merely to emphasize that the values a poet or writer champions are

Nazm Ki Zabaan

The concept of language cannot be imagined without society. An individual does not have a language of their own; they learn a language from society. Despite the importance of writing, the foundation of language lies in speech. Once a language is learned,

Kuchh Firaq Ke Baare Mein

Kuchh Aatish Ke Baare Mein

Literary criticism in Urdu began with Hali. By the time Hali came of age, the Lucknow school exerted a significant influence on literary thought and craft. Even a visionary like Ghalib would occasionally cast a longing glance at Nasikh’s style. Hali

Iqbal Ka Kaarnaama Urdu Nazm Mein

Initially, the term *nazm* was used synonymously with poetry in general, standing in contrast to prose. Later, it came to denote all forms of poetry other than the *ghazal*. In a modern context, however, the *nazm* is a poetic genre that is distinct

Meer Meri Nazar Mein

Naqqaadon Se Dus Sawaal

Majaaz, Rumaaniyat Ka Shaheed

Few poets have achieved the level of popularity among their contemporaries that Majaz did. Majaz wrote poetry for nearly twenty-five years. Given this long span of time, his collected works are remarkably brief. His finest poems were mostly written between

Poore Ghalib