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Keeping Urdu heritage alive through poetry
The great 18th century English writer, poet and critic Samuel Johnson once said, “I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigree of nations.”
The great 18th century English writer, poet and critic Samuel Johnson once said, “I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigree of nations.”
Bhupinder Aziz Parihar, a 60-year-old local literature connoisseur, couldn’t agree more. Striving hard to “save” the Urdu language in India, he has been editing and publishing an Urdu poetry journal, ‘Urdu Alive,’ for the past decade.
Every month he, along with his team of five editors, translates hundreds of poems into English.
“The journal, which aims at cutting across the barriers of language and culture, highlights contemporary Urdu poetry. It also contains interviews with distinguished Urdu authors, poets, critics and scholars from around the world. The main aim behind the journal is to cut across the barriers of languages, culture and thoughts,” he said.
Parihar, who taught English in various colleges till his retirement, is eager to hone the poetry writing skills of city residents, especially youngsters, who hold flair for poetry and inspiring articles.
“Poetry, which is one of the most expressive ways to share one’s feelings and experiences and can help us preserve our linguistic and cultural roots. It silently inspires our mind in the positive direction,” he added.
