Javed Akhtar on why Urdu is not the Language of Muslims

While one is so used to associating Urdu with love and longing, Javed Akhtar opens one’s eyes to the other facades of the language and its evolving relationship with India with Shoma Chaudhury at Algebra The Arts and Ideas Club on 18 May, 2018
Javed Akhtar is of the opinion that Urdu was an anti-fundamentalist language right from its inception and that “no religious poet ever gained recognition in Urdu but rather it was the anti-fundamentalist, agnostic and atheistic poets who were the real stars of Urdu poetry”.
Akhtar also feels that it is a misnomer to say that Urdu belongs to the Muslims because he believes that “languages belong to regions and not religions”. He adds that Urdu was given a beard and a topi to make the two-nation theory relevant.
Akhtar also says that Urdu is so deeply entwined with Hindu culture that when it comes to Hindu festivals like Holi, one cannot find better poetry than in Urdu.
Javed Akhtar is a multiple award-winning poet, lyricist and script writer. He started writing Urdu poetry in 1980. His first collection of Nazms and Ghazals entitled, ‘TARKASH' was released in 1995. He has written a large number of poems against communalism, social injustice, National Integration and for Women's Rights. As a lyricist, he is known for popular songs like "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha" from 1942: A Love Story, "Ghar Se Nikalte" from Papa Kehte Hai and "Sandese Aate Hai" from Border. He has won five national film awards, six Filmfare awards, Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. He was also selected as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha in Parliament.
Subscribe To "Algebra Club" Channel HERE: goo.gl/Y9TB76
For more content from "Algebra Club", click HERE: goo.gl/24X5NH
Like "Algebra Club" on Facebook HERE: goo.gl/B66ZA6
Follow "Algebra Club" on Twitter HERE: goo.gl/JWLpTj
---
Algebra takes the idea of a club - a universe of the likeminded - and expands it to new paradigms. The key idea behind Algebra is to bring together a fellowship of people who believe great cities are built not just on infrastructure but a life of the mind; who understand robust and liberal societies need the oxygen of great conversation and nuanced thinking. At a time when we are increasingly surrounded by rage and noise, Algebra is that unique live and continuous space where people could go for a genuine exchange of ideas and exposure to issues; where new seeds could be sparked, fresh perspectives formed, and intelligent connections made.
Algebra - the Arts and Ideas Club is designed to host over 60 conversations over the year with topline thinkers and practitioners from almost every discipline that impacts human affairs: politics, economy, environment, spirituality, cinema, medicine, science, technology, music, media, literature, the arts, sports, people’s movements, et al. In a line, Algebra is a space where one can meet an exciting, cutting-edge spectrum of people shaping the world in different ways. Where one can test one’s ideas, challenge one’s perspectives, and build friendships. A sort of fellowship of the curious and engaged.
Membership to Algebra is by invitation or referral. If you know an Algebra member, ask them to put you in touch with us. For more, click HERE:
www.algebratheclub.com/members...
---------------

[@lwnoronha]

The topic is "Urdu as a subversive language". When Javed Saab was deep in his dissertation of this topic the moderator kept interrupting him with inane topics such as "Urdu in cinema" or "Javed Saab, waqt kam hai, audience aapki Urdu shayri sunna chahti hai". No! We have heard Javed Saab's poetry in other forums. We really came to hear about the subversive nature of Urdu. Javed Saab was starting to warm up with his point about how (Pakistani) drama uses Hiindustani with a slight tilt towards Urdu as its language - obviously for maximum market penetration - he was interrupted. I wanted to hear him develop that thesis. For example, why doesn't Pakistan use the same Urdu we hear on its news channels and talk shows in its movies and dramas?

[@rohanroy6156]

A National Treasure - Javed Saab.

[@ajaykeswani3064]

Its always a pleasure to listen to Javed saab

[@amishbhat3560]

Anyone here after the Jashn-e-Riwaaz controversy? People need to listen to this interview.

[@arsalanarsall743]

Languages don't belong to religion it belongs to region

[@faree38green]

Proud to be a native Urdu speak. Thank you for such an informative talk.

[@breathlessMay]

Can Shoma learn to shut up during crucial moments?

[@dineshgohil2401]

Agree with you

[@vinayakkapatral4246]

Can Shoma speak less or ask in few words? She should learn to be succinct.

[@tanujarai2375]

I love this man.

[@jay-vx3gt]

Yey!!!! Thanks you sir for coming back again...

[@Lshiva693]

He is back. I am back.

[@suhastaskar9852]

Javedji should become president of India. Such a great person.

[@Deccani]

That is so dumb a literateur is not a political expert

[@bushrarani9286]

Great introduction, excellent diction,superb delivery

[@realpummybro]

Nice Video..

[@djshelin]

loved it lovedddddddddddddddd it

[@mem1001953]

Javedpedia: Source of literature knowledge.

[@rajeshjha8697]

Terrible host she shouldn't have disturbed when master keeping there mind let it flow it's organic Thanks I am aware it's her show

[@talhamahmoodchy4501]

12:50 old Urdu poetries, (Bookmark)

[@xilici]

*Urdu* ❤️

[@surenderbhutani3470]

A very thought-provoking talk. Prof Surender Bhutani Warsaw (Poland)

[@tibzig1]

I was whipped and beaten into learning Urdu as a child! I have PTSD because of it but my Urdu is quite good now!🤣

[@samymarathon6484]

I always hear about poetry and love, like pre-muslim India didn't have words for love or poetry. Ridiculous, when it comes to Islam, one of the many swords it uses is language. That's why you have Indonesians with Arab names

[@abdulwaheed5825]

Funny thing is Javed Akhter is giving a talk on urdu in english.

[@abcd1235911]

Abdul Waheed That's because it is important to make everybody understand what he conveys. If he speaks in pure Urdu nobody will understand. Concentrate on what is says not how he says, in what language he says

[@usmansiddiqui4217]

@@abcd1235911 Indians have completely lost Urdu language. Nobody can understand it now. It's really sad

[@abcd1235911]

@@usmansiddiqui4217 No, the thing is India is very diverse, though we say other national language is Hindi people hare speak Hindustani ( Hindi + Urdu) plus there are several major languages like Telugu Tamil Kannada Malayalam whose speakers can't speak Hindi, so naturally English acts as a bridge between all these languages. So though can't expect Indians to speak pure Hindi or pure Urdu or Pure Tamil

[@kushal4956]

that is to convey it to a wider audience. I wouldn't understand 30 percent of what he was saying if he spoke in Urdu

[@rohanroynameless]

Hindustani didn't came on a particular day. Before that, people weren't dumb... There was language without Persian - Arabic words...

[@Deccani]

Yes it was called khadi boli

[@kushal4956]

did he say that there was no language before Hindustani?

[@Lshiva693]

Always incomplete 👍

[@Vachan.Sharma]

IRONY .. Importance of Urdu in English lol .. Place of urdu in our life in English hahahahaaa... Respect to Javed Sahaab 🙏

[@Mohammed-hw4kz]

This is because of Sufism, something an atheist like Javed Sahab doesn’t want to admit.

[@sreelakshmikr9660]

shoma pls don't interpret the master

[@muhammadpervez4009]

Javed sahib javedaan han

[@firna1864]

Ye Hall Air contioned hai, ismay freedom of expression hai, Jo hindi paday hai mujh jaisay, Urdu ko consciously nahi mix kursuktay 80s and 90s ki hindi doordarshan ki news sunlo, ab shuddi say thak gaye, damage is done, ab dhoop may chulna hai, Sardar jaffry ka kalam jaisay pani ka bahau, ye khud bhi usmay doob gaye, bichari unko jaga Di.. Chuk paday Hindustani ko national language nahi banaya gaya, kisliye kay Urdu ismay shamil hai, Hindi ko bhi khoob dhoya gaya.

[@mdasifansari5386]

The host should learn how to keep her mouth shut when the guest is talking. So irritating.

[@tibzig1]

Nope. His view is from a purely "Indian point of view." Yes. Languages evolve and change and may not be limited to a religion (or they may be) and they may or may not be tied to a race or region. However, all languages do have a "memory" which can be tracked back to their basic roots. The grammar of Urdu absolutely comes from the Hindustani language. No doubt. However, as you go higher (intellectually) into the language, you will find the solid influence of Farsi and Arabic. Farsi and Arabic are not from the Indian Subcontinent nor are they languages of the native Indians. Hindi tends to move toward Sanskrit. The "anti-religion" bent in Urdu he is speaking of has nothing to do with the fact that the language itself indeed came from the Muslim side. There have been atheist-agnostic poets, scholars, and intellectuals in every culture and religion, including Islam. Omar Khayyam is a prime example.

[@usmansiddiqui4217]

URDU HAS A LONG HISTORY OF MUSLIM POETRY WITH PERSIAN THEMES. IT WAS A LANGUAGE PATRONIZED BY MUSLIM KINGS AND PRINCES OF INDIA AND MOST URDU POETS DRAW UPON SUFI THEMES THAT ARE COMMON IN PERSIAN POETRY

[@keithhunt5328]

Muslims kings hated Urdu...did u even hear what he said?

[@TheFolkstars]

why the host is behaving like an Ex..😑😐

[@rohanroy6156]

That head belongs to Rajeev Sethi.

[@user-fc9hg1zt6n]

Jama masjid mein Hindi mein poopade par namaj pado aaj se

[@avinashmishra7735]

Which language is fundamentalist to Javed Akhtar?

[@comillaentertainment5780]

Hindi languages Arenot Muslim language Hindi languages Hindusm and Hindu people language hindi hindvi.bhojpuri gujrathi marathi haryanvi . Others people Hindi languages. Hindusm in India yes

[@BasheerAhmed-th1kl]

If these useless anchors keep themselves brief and let guests talk more...!!

[@VipinKumar-vv1hp]

Anchor. ...u r nothing for us....u don't have any value.....better keep your mouth shut when....LEGENDS like Javed akhtar sir speaks

[@Monica-rr7ko]

Good God, the host is awful

[@bluemountain19]

You fools language does not belong to any religion it belong to the region you come from. In fact even Arabic is not the language of Muslims but it is the language of the region you belong to. Jawed is not a person I admire but sometimes I do agree to some of the foolishness he says

[@pradeepbhojwani8139]

Urdu is not a language, it’s imperialism imposed. Persian is d script. Urdu is a facade created by imperialists to further their cause of Ghazwa-e-Hind.

[@khansalim4544]

Oooh really??....actually It is the other way around.... Devnagri script and so called hindi(artificial urdu or sanskritized urdu) etc are facade created by brahmanvaad to again impose their cause(like they used to do in ancient India) of exploiting poor and lower caste people, tribals, and other religion etc.... Nah??

[@kushal4956]

@@khansalim4544 he's wrong but so are you. Hindi and Urdu both are artificially created languages, Hindustani was spoken before. Hindustani was less arabicized than Urdu but also less Sanskritized than Hindi

[@mxxmauuhan3597]

Urdu sounds boorish to me.

[@nachiketdhende8681]

Cant please everybody! Probably should have done more research.

[@usmansiddiqui4217]

Urdu is a poetic language unlike your dirty language hindi

[@nitishsaxena1372]

@@usmansiddiqui4217 there's no Urdu without Hindi and there's no Hindi without Urdu. I take pride in both. One has profound expressions and the other has a script which is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. You seem to be from the subcontinent as well, you should take pride in it too.

[@hillclimbracingofficial4105]

@@usmansiddiqui4217 dirty Urdu......fuck..... I don't speak hindi

[@keithhunt5328]

@@nitishsaxena1372 Hindi can exist without urdu

[@DilipSadh]

Mr Javed Akhter is Islamist under the mascot of being Atheist.

[@mac900282660]

I pity your ignorance, clearly you missed the point of the discussion.

[@devsharma5345]

+Dilip Sadh I totally agree with you but in this conversation he didn't try to put forth his agenda as he usually does in other interviews. In this conversation he made a total sense to me.

[@stanchill6174]

correct

[@TejasM14]

+Dilip Javed is a free thinking poet. You on the other hand are bigoted human being.

[@lwnoronha]

Dilip Sadh Yes, he always wears a kurta-pajama, does a salaam-namaste at the end, and when appropriate says khuda-hafiz (which means “may God be with you”, which in old English is “Good be with ye” or “Goodbye”).