Urdu is a hybrid language that is based on the spoken languages of Northern India with a generous overlay of Arabic and Persian words. ‘Urdu’ is a Turkish word, which means a camp. When Muslims from ...

If you want to make high-brow small talk at one of President Barack Obama’s cocktail parties, don’t bother brushing up your Shakespeare. Try reading Urdu poetry. As POLITICO’s Ben Smith points out in ...

Across Hyderabad, young people are rediscovering the charm of Urdu, gathering in heritage venues and creative spaces to share couplets, stories, and lively discussions. I’ve been part of several Urdu ...

Note: This story was originally published in October 2022 as part of Outlook issue 'Recasting Shiva'. It is being replugged on World Poetry Day 2023 as Outlook revisits the power of poetry in a world ...

This is a representative selection of Nawab Mustafa Khan Shaifta’s poetry. Shaifta wrote his verse both in Urdu and Persian, and assumed two poetic names, Shaifta for Urdu verse, and Hasrati for his ...

Hyderabad's youth are reviving Urdu through poetry readings and workshops in heritage sites. Platforms like Anjuman-e-Fannan and Heart for Art Hyderabad are fostering community and encouraging new ...