Rethinking Islam with Sultan Shahin

Urdu Section
22 May 2010, NewAgeIslam.Com

Composite Culture: Tradition and Reality-Part 1

Professor Ali Ahmad Fatmi sings hosanna to the great composite culture of the wonderful land called India. In this artcle titled "Mushtarka tehzeeb: rewayat aur haqeeqat" (Composite culture: tradition and reality) he renders a critical appreciation of India's composite culture with special reference to Urdu language and literature. He believes that Urdu and composite culture are the two sides of a coin and one is incomplete without the other. The verses of the classical poets like Sauda, Insha, Nazeer Akbarabadi, Hatim etc. reflect the Indian culture and civilisation in its full glory. He quotes from the beautiful poetry of Firaq Gorakhpuri, Iqbal, Nazeer, Mohsin Kakorvi and Jaafar Zatalli to drive home his point. Mr Fatmi quotes a stanza from a poem by Nazeer Akbarabadi in which Kans, Vasudeo, Devki and Yashoda's character and their sweet quarrels become alive. It shows not only Nazeer's knowledge of the Hindu religion and culture but also his deep reverence for it. The full text is presented in Urdu. -- Editor

URL: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamUrduSection_1.aspx?ArticleID=2881