Phir roshan kar zehar ka pyaala, chamka nayi saleebain,Jhuthon ki duniya mein sach ko taabaani de Maula!(Light up the poison cup again, make new crosses shine,In this world of lies, illuminate truth, O Lord!)- A ghazal by Urdu poet Nida Fazli Noted literary historian Rakhshanda Jalil’s latest book, , recently released in New Delhi, delves into the rich history of Urdu poetry. It demonstrates how the language and its poets are mounting a robust resistance against the spread of right-wing-sponsored hatred and the rising climate of polarisation in India. Divided into sections such as essays, politics, people, and passions and places, the book features insightful Urdu poetry.
Anchored in the theme of love for one’s country, the work illustrates how India’s social fabric is fraying and how Urdu verses, with their secular themes, challenge the push for Hindu supremacy. “Unlike publicists and propagandists, a (poet) rarely falls victim to bigotry, prejudice, and narrow-mindedness,” Rakhshanda told the audience at a book discussion event held by Karvaan India, a multimedia platform promoting pluralism and inclusion, in Delhi on July 7. “Urdu poets have always been known for their liberalism and eclecticism.
They have championed the mingling of cultures and communal harmony.” According to Rakhshanda, in recent years, Urdu has been stigmatised as a language of Muslims. Political representatives have been barred from taking oaths in Urdu, and artists have often been prohib.
