Welcome to the Dept. of Urdu, Kirori Mal College,University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007
Welcome to the Dept. of Urdu, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007. Founded in 1954 as a Dept. of Urdu, and elevated as an independent Dept. in the same year. This Dept. has grown in both reputation and size, developing a strong and transparent system of higher education in the Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 in north of India. There are nearly 100 students studying across lot of subject / option. at the Dept.. Considering the future challenges and market needs we offer a wide range of options in Urdu Honors {Arts, Humanities}. In order to maintain diversity across the student community, we are always open to the students across the country & international students. We have an ambitious vision to be a highly reputed Dept. where integrating research, teaching and learning with a great emphasis on quality is at the heart of our strategy. Our courses are taught by the staff having distinctions in their careers. As a Dept. we value the highest academic & professional standards, indebted to social, cultural & economic obligations. We have a strong faith to shaping and whereby changing the future of this nation. We have a dream for this Dept. where it would work under transparent & widely respected system of imparting higher education. We are aware that our success largely depends on our commitment to absolute academic excellence; therefore, raising the quality of teaching and learning, forms the basis of our vision for this Dept. We have clearly set our priorities and strategies that will occupy us in the forthcoming years. Dept. of Urdu, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007 is a highly ambitious and rapidly expanding Dept.
We will always be proud to let the world know of our Dept. activities through our web-site. We enjoy excellent collaborative research links with other Dept’s of the college and other Indian and foreign, Universities.
With a warm welcome to all the students, new comers in particular, I wish you a wonderful time here with exciting experiences. I appreciate your commitment for choosing Dept. of Urdu, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, and hope to work together in transforming your dreams into reality.
Dr. M. Y. Saba
In charge Dept. of Urdu
Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
A brief note on concerned in the international conference and on visit to other academic institutions.
I was fortunate enough to attend the international oriental languages and literature symposium-11 held at Istanbul, Turkey. I found there that theDepartment of Urdu Language and LiteratureIstanbulUniversity, Faculty of LettersBeyazit-Istanbul/Turkey, is rendering a great service in popularizing the Urdu Language in IstanbulTurkey.It has immense contribution to the promotion of Urdu and also reflectsa sign of fraternity between Turkey and India.
We appreciate the efforts of faculty members ofIstanbulUniversity especially of Prof. Dr. Halil Toker, Chairman of UrduDept.University of Istanbul,Turkey who was the driving force behind this discussionsymposium. A renowned Urdu scholar, writer, journalist, poet, and critic, Prof. Dr. Halil TokerChairman of Urdu Dept. university of Istanbul Turkey, inaugurated a two-day (21st and 22nd April 2009) international oriental languages and literature symposium-11, “ SAGE POET OF THE EAST MUHAMMAD IQBAL” on the occasion of the death anniversary of multidimensional personality Urdu poet shaire Mashrique Sir, Allama Iqbal, at Department of Urdu Language and LiteratureIstanbulUniversity, Faculty of LettersBeyazit-Istanbul/Turkey.
This is one of the outstanding departments of the University playing a very constructive role towards the cause of Hindu-Muslim unity betweenIndia and Turkeyespecially in the light of Urdu literature. Prominent educationists and eminent teachers and bright students have been associated with this department. They include names such asProf. Dr. Halil Toker, Prof.Dr.DurmusBulgur.Symposiumwas organizedby Prof. Dr. Halil Tokeralong with the cooperation of his colleagues’ Prof.Dr.Durmus Bulgur,andAssistant Ars. Gor Zekai Kardas, Ars.Gor Arzu Suren and Christine Khawaja.
The symposium was attended by noted Urdu writers, critics and poets from all over the country and abroad. They dwelt on the unique personality of Iqbal who infused inspiration and courage among the youth during the country’s freedom struggle through his poetry.Prof. Dr. Halil saidthat litterateurs should develop a language which should neither be Urdu-Hindi nor Turkish but Hindustani, which could be spoken and understood by all. Iqbal, he added, was a patriotic, revolutionary and progressive poet who inspired people of India, especially the youth, to strengthen national integration and communal harmony. He promised to publish the research papers presented by the delegates in the symposium for inspiring the coming generations. He highlighted the multi-dimensional aspects of Indo Turkish culture with special reference to the linguistic traits. The focus was on the preservation of the culture in Asia. It was emphasized that, this goal could be achieved through respecting our language which reflects the plurality of cultures. In this context, there is the need to focus on our oral tradition which is storehouse of historical knowledge of the past. He also referred to the “SAGE POET OF THE EAST MUHAMMAD IQBAL” and its colonial approach, which contain roots of linguistic degradation by elevating English as the official language of India in the higher branches of administration. In making his recommendations IQBAL had aimed to produce a class of people who would be Indian in blood and color, but English in taste, opinions , moral and intellect’.
He also expressed his concerns for the dying languages such as the various cities and countries. Nevertheless, he also suggested the measures through which the multi-cultural traditions and identity can be preserved.Prof. Dr. Halilhas a distinguished career in fields as varied as different form of Urduand Turkishliterature & Islamic Studies. He is a chancellor’s gold medalist, having stood first from primary up to higher education. He obtained a Ph.D. Degree with distinction. He is an eminent scholar and is the author of anumberof books which he has written on different facets of different form of Urdu literature. All together he has mastery over a lot of languages besidesUrdu. He has been associated with various social & educational organizations and has founded more than dozen educational institutions of higher learning in India & abroad .He is an Ideal teacher in the Deptt. of Urdu,University of Istanbul. He has a global fame and is known as a student friendly teacher. He possesses exceptional intellect and repute in Urdu academia. He is a well-known eminent and outstanding scholar who significantly contributed to knowledge through his enormous works. His contribution is still flowing and enriching the different form of Urduliterature and thus gaining international repute.
I am very close to himsince last one yearand gaining a lot of knowledge. Being very humble by nature he is very affectionate to me. On every meeting he discloses his hidden thoughts of education. His knowledge is equally important as a reference document. We expect his creative contribution will continue to grow throughout his life. He is adistinguished speaker & his speech varies from Cookery to Kant, wrestling to relativity, his interest is comprehensive. Poetry, Philosophy, Politics, Economics Sociology, English, Education and the rest. He is amazingly multidimensional and humorous, which give pep to his speech. He is not snobbish and never showed off his correspondents included men like Giant national international scholar and intellectual and on the others the versatility of his tastes & interests made him popular with all kind of people. He has established his reputation by his published research work/contribution in Urdu world since last two decades & always trying to present Urdu language literature through other source or spectrum on global level as for example, science, technology, economy, & employment etc. disciplines which will value based R/W for the development of U/L and useful for general masses in reference source of employment. He is one is the best scholar. He has held professional and research position in many countries he has served as a research advisor and expert on many bodies and has been a number of various international commissions. He is author of two dozen Books which are eye-opening. He has also published several articles in professional journals.
His seminal research shows a guiding light to the modern society whereas my subject of research had been picked up from Urdu classical age. But these writings reflect a progressive approach and imagination which were already ahead of their times. They saw the modern and progressive world living in conservative and stagnant society.The great writers of that old world, thus, peeked modernity through the medieval window. They also imbibed discipline, talked about social harmony and integrity through their writings. Their imagination was educative, informative, and scientific in nature.
The bottom line of my hard worked research, thus, casts an image of harmonies, disciplined, scientific, rational and modernized society based on human dignity & justice. I thoroughly enjoyedmyacademic meeting with him. It has opened new vistas of thought and work. His meetings provided me golden opportunity to express and write independently and thus, marked a full-fledged creative journey which includes a number of eye opening articles, Nazms & Ghazals on various aspects of day to day life. These activities are still continuing.
Here one by one I am submitting a brief summary of some eminent scholars view point in the light of their research paper which they presented in the same symposium.
Ars.Gor Arzu Suren, she elaborated her view point in the light of Iqbals educational philosophy during inaugural function and said that Education is the spirit of enquiry, the ability to keep one’s mind and heart open to beauty and goodness, indeed all that surrounds us, to be able to think and judge for oneself... Education should inculcate a life-long habit of learning, And today, this is all the more necessary because the corpus of knowledge is increasing at a tremendous pace, often making what one has learnt obsolete.
Prof. SatyapalAnand from WashingtonD.C. also appreciated the poetry ofIqbal and presented his research paper on the topic of “Iqbal poet of the East- A Reappraisal” Which was full of informative and progressive ideas. He said that Iqbal has been misinterpreted in religious scholars’ zeal to make a prophet out of him. In his poetry he has rejected medieval mysticism, narrow nationalism and aesthetic socialism. He says that neither dogma, nor priesthood, nor ritual, together or alone, can ethically prepare the modern man for the challenges that the advancement of modern science has posed. He believes that in Islam prophecy reaches its perfection in discovering the need of its own abolition, that in order to achieve full self-consciousness man must finally be thrown back on his own resources. The abolition of all-powerful priesthood and hereditary power wielding in Islam, the constant appeal to reasonand the emphasis that it lays on Nature and History, as sources of human knowledge are all different aspect of the same idea of finality. To get a fuller understanding of Iqbal’s thought a study of his poetry, in conjunction with a careful reading of the other writings, particularly of his speeches and correspondence is very essential. Additionally some aspects of his poetry have been almost overlooked. These include his efforts to rehabilitate Nazm as against the all powerful Ghazal as a medium of poetic expression. His poems are such that, unlike his predecessor, instead of himself remaining outside the poem as a spectator and detailing out whatis happening, he is present in the poem himself and his descriptions become his declamations or reportage.
Dr.Md. Yahya:I also presented my research paper in the same conferenceon the topic of “The Tradition of patriotism in Urdu poetry with special reference to oriental poet Sir Allama Iqbal’s poetry.Here I submitted my research papersabstract “Literature was instrumental in the movements for political and social reforms since the 18th century and for the unification of around the world, which started in the 19th century. The ideaof national unity and patriotism was closely linked with the ideals of political rights, economic development and the abolition of the repressive corporative system. However, when the Indian empire came into existence the Indian national feelings where soon channeled into imperialist designs which led to colonial conquests and culminated in the First World War. Even so many Indian writers such as Iqbal were initially swept away by the nationalist frenzy. His writings clearly demonstrate how aggressive nationalist ideologies can instrumentalist literature for their own nefarious ends, turning patriotic feelings and love for the motherland into a destructive force. This holds true for any situation in which patriotic fervor is used to exclude or demonize others and to suppress political dissent and social unrest. Iqbal had realized the dangers of modern nationalism and found in Islam the solution of all problems facing humanity. He became a poet and preacher of patriotism, and became an exponent of Internationalism and Pan-Islamism. Iqbal devoted himself to write his classical poems on patriotism in the light of Islam, reminding its followers of their past glory and virtues which enabled them to bring about in a short span of 30 years, the most amazing political and social revolution in the history of mankind. He wanted Indians to read the same old lesson of truth, justice and valor, which had made them the leaders of the India and Iqbal said.
"Sabaq phir parh sadaaqat ka, adaalat ka, shuja'at ka,
Liya jayega tujh se kaam dunya ki imaamat ka."
He wants to restore the same self-confidence among Muslims, which led them to the heights of glory in the past. Now look at his Islamic Anthem
"Cheeno Arab hamaara Hindostan hamaara,
Muslim hayn-ham, watan hay saara jahaan hamaara"
Ours is China, India, and Arabia. We are Muslims, and the whole world is our nativeland.Then he recalls the great achievements of Muslims.
"Maghrib ki waadiyon men goonji Azan Hamaari,
Thamta natha kisi se sayle-rawaan hamaara."
Our call for the submission to Allah, echoed in the valleys of the West and none could check the current of our storm. Allama Iqbal's poems "Shikwah" (Complaint), "Jawaabi-Shikwah" (Reply to Complaint) and "Tulooi-Islam" (The Dawn of Islam) provide the culmination of Iqbal's poetry. He wants to revive the self-confidence of Muslims. The chief distinction of Iqbal's patriotic poetry lies in the spirit of optimism, which runs through his verses. He is an idealist who takes the reader to the dreamland, the land of the Muslim Ummah's glorious past. He is the chief herald and embodiment of Islamic renaissance. There is no exaggeration if I say that Iqbal's Persian poetry is the one dominating factor that fueled the successful Islamic Revolutions in Iran and Afghanistan. His well-known poetic works were translated into Arabic, English, Turkish, Latin, French, German and Russian by well-known scholars. He was without a doubt, one of the greatest thinkers and intellectuals of the world. His poetry had a mission behind it. His dynamic philosophy will continue to inspire mankind to hope and action.
Few remember today the remarkable contribution of Iqbals to the development of Urdu literature. Allama Iqbal was the pioneering poet of Urdu, the fiery poet of patriotism.Iqbal was the founder of a new school of Urdu poetry which blossomed in the first quarter of the 20th century. The critics of not only Urdu other also called him "one of those small bands who have helped to revolutionize the ideals of Urdu poetry." Traditional Urdu poets, writers, scholars and other at the turn of the century, wrote, "Were content to play with words and compose sugary verses of lady-like prettiness. Iqbal treated their muse like a queen, not like a tinseled courtesan." Under the influence of nationalism they "transfigured patriotism into poetry and song." Apart from its nationalist inspiration and break from the tradition of stylized Nazm and Ghazals and other forms of Urdu poetry, the new school also reflected a deep understanding of Western thought I would like to describe Iqbal as "men who have tasted of the best that English literature has to give us, and yet retained their love for their own literature" in expressing "some of the deepest thoughts and the subtlest of emotions which have stirred the minds of their countrymen during their times." Comparing the other different critics Iqbal is more spiritual and mystical than others that is probably due to his philosophy of life he is also much more elegant in form, and shows greater pathos, if he appeals more to human feelings than to intellect, it is because of his environments in India" Nationalism was a potent factor in molding all poets, apart from the inspiration of natural beauty and the impress of faith and philosophy. Out several of writers of the world submitted their opinion that Iqbal's poetry evolved from nationalism, and he remained a poet of patriotism to the end. The resounding strains of Iqbal's hymn to the nation are so many like well known Tarana-i-Hindis (Song of India): Hubbe watan,samaaye,aankhonmennoorhokar Sar men khumaar hokar, dil men suroor hokar.(May love for country pervade you, becoming light of the eyes, exhilarating the mind a intoxicating the heart.)