Bangalore to host World Urdu Conference from Monday

Urdu, synonymous with rich literature, captivating poetry and romance is being edged out by English, the language of globalisation and efforts have to be made to protect and propagate it, a top official of the coming world Urdu conference said on Saturday.

“Languages like Urdu are being edged out by the language of globalisation. Efforts have to be taken to protect Urdu, which is not only a means of communication, but also represents years of culture and civilisation,” said Azeezull Baig, executive member, organising committee, while announcing the World Urdu Conference scheduled from September 27 to 30.

Dismissing theories that Urdu is a language restricted to a particular community, he said it has been the language of the freedom struggle and quoted some famous lines during the time like “Inquilab Zindabad” and “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamana.”
Unfortunately, this language has become the victim of partisan politics, a cause for much of its decline, he said.

However, the language continued to evolve and is a treasure trove of rich literature and poetry, he said. On the World Urdu Conference, he said 50 delegates from 16 countries, including from US, UK, Russia, Holland, Canada, Germany, France, Netherlands, Japan, Mauritius and Netherlands would be participating.

Cultural programmes like ghazals, qawali and dramas would be organised as part of the conference, which would also see 300 Indians participating in it. The aim of the conference, being organised by Karnataka Urdu Academy, was to generate interest in the language and keep its glory alive, said Prof. S Mohammed Rahmatul Haq, registrar of the academy.

He said the academy planned to organise a six-day all India Urdu mela and crafts exhibition from September 28. Rare manuscripts, specimen of calligraphy, paintings and books would, apart from crafts and handlooms would be exhibited, he said.

The estimated expenditure for the conference and Urdu Mela is around Rs3.5 crore, for which the organising committee has requested the state and Centre to grant funds.