In Uttar Pradesh, a language of loss: the decline of Urdu
Urdu, the language of poetry and love, an amalgamation of many languages, is witnessing a decline. Mayank Kumar finds that amid shifting government priorities and dwindling patronage, the lovers of this language worry about its future
In Uttar Pradesh, Urdu is facing a decline as a language and a cultural force, with bookshops and newspapers struggling to survive. Naeem Ahmed, 58, operates Danish Mahal, a bookstore that has been synonymous with Urdu literature in Lucknow for over 85 years. However, he is not generating a profit and is forced to keep his family's love for the language alive.
The rent in the new location is far lower, but Naeem laments the diminishing book business and the failing family venture. Urdu, Uttar Pradesh's second official language, has seen a decline in speakers since the 2001 Census, dropping from 12.1 million to 10.9 million. The language is associated with Muslim conquerors, and advertising in Urdu has nearly disappeared from Lucknow's public messaging.
The few remaining murals with Urdu lettering are peeling, and Urdu is being eclipsed by Hindi in daily discourse. The government's support for Urdu has been dwindling, with limited job opportunities for Urdu speakers in government departments. Despite this, some, like Asad Rizvi, a freelance journalist, lament the neglect of Urdu in multiple ways, including the closure of Urdu newspapers due to government advertising policies.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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