ANKARA
The excitement was palpable at the Urdu Department of Ankara University, where students, teachers and literati of Turkish capital had gathered to listen to renowned Urdu poet, play writer and lyricist Amjad Islam Amjad.
It was an evening of mixed shades that began with the rendition of a satire filled profile of Amjad by Syed Ghalib Raza Gillani, director studies at the Pakistani mission. Laced with wit and humor, it delighted everyone so that room resonated with chuckles and laughter, with every revelation about Amjad’s life.
The mood soon turned somber, when Ahmed Bakhtiyar Ashraf, a professor of Urdu, discussed literary genius in Amjad’s poetry. Both Gillani and Ashraf had past association with the poet back in Pakistan. To the excitement of the audience, learned poet soon took the stage to render beautiful imagery with magic of words.
The official national language of Pakistan and one of constitutionally recognized official languages in India, Urdu is known for its sophistication that makes it an idle vehicle to express poetry and music. Drawing a link between Turkey and South Asia, Amjad said the word Urdu is derived from the Turkish Ordu meaning Army. “Most of the vocabulary in Urdu has words from Turkish language," he said.
Amjad, 75, was born in Pakistani city of Sialkot located in the northeast of Punjab province and home of Pakistan’s other two famous poets Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
Recipient of the prestigious Pakistani awards, Sitara-e-Imtiaz and pride of performance, Amjad was conferred Turkey’s prestigious Necip Fazil International Culture and Art award last week in Istanbul. He became the first foreign intellectual to receive the award founded in 2014 by Turkey’s Star newspaper in collaboration with the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry.
“Our pain and joy are common,” Amjad told the audience, comprised of Pakistani and Turkish participants. “The [Muslim] culture in sub-continent is mostly influenced by Turkey,” he said.
“Apart from the religious aspect, where Pakistanis feel linked to the holy cities in Saudi Arabia, Turkey is closer to the hearts of Pakistani people,” he said. The poet, however, said there was much to do to promote relations at people-to-people level.
Praising Turkey’s growth under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan whom he described as greatest leader of Islamic world in present times, Amjad said while Turkish drama series is being dubbed in Urdu for Pakistani audiences it should be vice versa as well.
Pakistani plays need to reach Turkey
“Pakistani dramas should also be dubbed in Turkish language, so that common people in Turkey get to know Pakistani tradition, culture more closely,” he said.
“This will help youth of the two countries to understand essence of our historic relations,” he emphasized. “Turkey and Pakistan should emphasize on interaction between common people through TV and literature. When relations reach common people, they are irreversible," he added.
Turkish students studying Urdu language were excited to interact with Amjad and hear the pure depths of Urdu poetry.
“Amjad sahib is one of the most important poets of 21st century and listening to him was a lifetime experience,” said Ozlem, a Turkish native studying Urdu language and literature at the university.
Talking to Anadolu Agency, Aykut Kismir, who teaches Urdu at the University, said his department invited Amjad to travel from Istanbul to give an opportunity to students to meet with the legend.
Asked why Pakistani silver screen is not able to compete with India, Amjad said the film industry in India has its roots in British empire, which ruled South Asia till 1947. All the studios and infrastructure in Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata went to India. “There was nothing in Pakistan, but our television industry has excelled," he added.
Absolute freedom nowhere
He also brushed aside impression that literary freedom has limitations in Pakistan.
“First we do not have absolute freedom anywhere. In every country or culture, there are some curbs of which certain are undue and should be protested against. But there has to be a line or restriction somewhere. I have written critical plays even during military rule in Pakistan,” he said.
Talking about the downward spiral of the quality of Urdu language, Amjad said that all languages have suffered a similar fate but Urdu was there to stay.
Admitting that Urdu language was becoming a language of ears than eyes, Amjad emphasized that it was necessary to protect script of the language.
“They [younger generation] must be taught the Urdu script. And those who decide on curriculum should take this into consideration.”
Known for promoting resistance literature, Amjad, whose has translated works of Bosnian, Palestinian and Black writers, underlined that there was no escape from being progressive and support people facing repression.
The evening ended with a somber note. But not before leaving the audience mesmerized. In his own words, Amjad said Agar Kabhi Meri Yaad Ayey, Tu Chand Ratoon Ki Naram Geer Roshni Main Kisi Sitaray Kou Dekh Leina (If you remember me ever. See any star in the moonlight nights). The star of Urdu literature had not only glittered the evening in Ankara, but fascinated students and literati alike.
