Bunyad: A Journal of Urdu Studies
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طوائف کی گم شدہ آواز کی بازیافت: امراؤ جان ادا کا ردِّ نوآبادیاتی مطالعہ
No full textMirza Hadi Ruswa’s Umrāo Jān Adā (1899), often called the first Urdu novel, depicts the cultural and social world of 19th-century Lucknow. This essay analyzes the text through subaltern and postcolonial theory, arguing that it negotiates voice, agency, and erasure under colonial modernity. Focusing on Umrao Jan, a courtesan marked by gendered and classed marginality, the paper draws on Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s concept of subalternity and Ranajit Guha’s critique of elite historiography to examine the politics of representation. While the novel appears to give voice to a marginalized woman, it does so through a male, upper-caste narrator, raising questions about authorship, authenticity, and the limits of subaltern speech. Rejecting the closure of the Bildungsroman, the narrative embraces ambiguity and irony. The essay argues that the novel’s importance lies not only in its literary form but also in its engagement with gender, caste, and colonial knowledge, placing it within key debates on voice, power, and silencing in South Asian literature
اقبال کی مکانیت:تجزیۂ کلامِ اردو
No full textIt is almost half a century ago, when spatial turn took place in humanities in western theory. Exploring the spatiality and mapping out the landscapes of literature and literary production has been on the go since. But spatiality and mapping could not attract the attention of Urdu research and literary analysis. Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan, who remains always in literary, political and everyday discussions, has never been, to the best of my knowledge, studied spatially. This article uses the methods of geocriticism and maps out the space and places in Urdu poetry of Iqbal. By analyzing the quantitative data of places referenced in Iqbal’s poetry, this study aims to delineate his mental geography. The historical contexts of these places within the Urdu literary world are examined to understand their evolution. This study demonstrates how Iqbal utilized places to evoke the past, comprehend the present, and situate the Islamic public
سلینگ اورپاکستانی زبانوں کی ثقافت سے اخذ شدہ سلینگ الفاظ کا مطالعہ
No full textThe article discusses the importance of slang words and their equal significance alongside standard language in expressing social activities and emotions. It is divided into two parts. The first part emphasizes the crucial role of slang in linguistic communication. In contrast, the second part explores slang words in three prominent languages of the northern regions: Shīnā (شنا), Baltī (بلتی) and Khawār (کھوار). These languages have a rich reservoir of idioms and slang influenced by the local culture of the mountainous terrain. The article collected slang words through firsthand interactions with local communities in northern Pakistan, noting a noticeable Urdu influence. By highlighting the importance of slang in linguistic expression, the article sheds light on the unique linguistic landscapes of these languages, enhancing our understanding of their cultural significance
مصنوعی ذہانت اور اردوزبان و ادب : امکانات و مسائل
No full textTremors of artificial intelligence (AI) resonate through every facet of life, reshaping creativity, production, cognition, research, and even critique. Urdu literature, too, feels the seismic shift, as long-held theories of language and literary creation buckle under AI’s influence. From the crucible of creation to the discerning lens of criticism, AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Bard/Gemini design and create text, plot, and character. Yet, these digital sketches yearn for the brushstrokes of human intervention to attain true artistry. AI dissects and analyzes existing works with surgical precision, but its grasp of deeper meaning and delicate nuances still requires the guiding hand of human insight. Literary criticism can be enriched with AI’s fresh perspectives, but only on condition that the essential human voice retains its melody. However, ethical concerns linger in the shadow of AI’s creative, critical, and research potential. As we embrace AI in Urdu literature, a nuanced approach is paramount. We must equip it with the right vocabulary, nourish it with the finest Urdu works, and guide it towards responsible usage. Ultimately, AI’s tools present an opportunity to amplify creativity, refine analysis, and deepen understanding, all while remaining vigilant against potential pitfalls. By navigating this complex terrain with care, we can ensure that AI becomes a catalyst for a richer, more vibrant future for Urdu literary expression. This research article illuminates both the possibilities and challenges that AI presents for the future of Urdu language and literature
‘‘تعبیرات ِ اقبال کا معنیاتی نظام : بحوالہ خصوصی تعبیراتِ ’’ذوق و شوق
No full textIn the Urdu poetry tradition, Allama Iqbal's works have been extensively analyzed and interpreted by scholars who try to map the semantics of his philosophical framework and uncover the poetic ideals he expresses. In recent past, there have been various interpretations of Iqbal's poetry, which have raised questions about the methods used by his critics to interpret his work. This article focuses on the semantic approaches used to extract meaning and nuances from Iqbal's verses. It examines the hermeneutical strategies employed by analyzing interpretations of Iqbal’s poem "Zauq-o-Shauq". The works of critics like Rafi Uddin Hashmi, Shamim Hanfi, Shamsur Rahman Faruqi, Asloob Ahmad Ansari, and others have been critiqued to unravel their interpretative strategies. This article concludes that each interpretation of “Zauq-o-Shauq” is transitory and epigrammatic and incites for next, another transient interpretation
میڈیوسا کا قہقہہ‘‘ : ترجمہ اور معروضات’’
No full textThis article presents the Urdu translation of and discussion on Hélène Cixous’s celebrated essay, “Le Rire de la Méduse”, published in French language in 1975, translated into English by Keath Cohen and Paula Cohen, titled as “The Laugh of the Medusa” (1976). Hélène Cixous, Julia Kristeva and Luce Irigaray are known as the founders of feminist post-structural theory. This trilogy of the French feminists celebrates female sexuality. This essay by Cixous is also focused on the same. It is revolutionary and one of its kind in many ways. It defies from the position of earlier feminist literary critics. It introduces us to Écriture feminine (feminine writing), a term coined by Cixous to elaborate how women’s writing should bring women into writing; body and being. She also asks women to embrace and redefine the metaphors of Medusa and darkness which are coined by patriarchal pen and have had a negative connotation. She not only gives the theory of feminine writing, but also presents it through her writing in this work
لغت مجموعۂ لغاتِ مرادف، معروف بہ الفاظِ مرادف (۱۳۳۷ھ) کا تعارف و تحقیقی جائزہ
No full textThe compilation of the first Urdu thesaurus is a significant achievement in the field of Urdu language study. This pioneering thesaurus, known as Majmuʻa Lūghāt-e-Murādif Maroof Beh Alfāz-e-Murādif, highlights the richness of Urdu vocabulary by providing a systematic compilation of synonyms. It serves as a valuable resource for writers, scholars, and language enthusiasts. This article explores the origins and development of the first Urdu thesaurus, tracing its evolution from the need for a comprehensive lexical reference to the meticulous efforts of Urdu linguists, lexicographers, and language experts. The thesaurus not only captures the varied meanings of Urdu words but also demonstrates the intricate interplay of cultural, historical, and regional influences on the language. Additionally, the article discusses the potential impact of the first Urdu thesaurus on language learning, creative writing, and scholarly research. It reflects the collective dedication of language enthusiasts and stands as a testament to the enduring vitality of Urdu as a language that continues to evolve and thrive
حبیب جالب:لاہور کا عوامی چہرہ
No full textThis paper delves into the multifaceted role of Habib Jalib as a revolutionary poet and his profound connection with Lahore. It explores how his experiences and empathetic understanding of the marginalized shaped his dedication to social justice. The paper further discusses how he used poetry as a powerful tool to criticize the prevailing socio-political order, encouraging action through both his verses and active political engagement. The study integrates biographical insights to illuminate Jalib's journey from his humble origins to becoming a political activist, enduring imprisonment for his dissent. Drawing on diverse influences including folk traditions and progressive literature, Jalib’s poetry wielded irony and satire to articulate his ideological stance, defying censorship and resonating profoundly with audiences across the subcontinent. Despite adversity, Jalib's poetic voice emerged as a source of hope and empowerment for the masses, transcending geographical boundaries to inspire transformative societal change
امیر خسرو کا لسانی شعور ––– تعارفی جائزہ
No full textAmeer Khusro holds a unique position among the writers and poets of the Subcontinent due to his multifaceted personality. His perspectives on the diverse languages and vernaculars of the region are intricately woven into his prose and poetry, showcasing his encyclopedic mind and appreciation for linguistic diversity. Khusro often adopts a stance akin to a modern linguist, drawing comparisons among these languages and offering insightful conclusions. This article delves into his fascination with various languages, particularly his preference for ‘Hindvi’ and Persian, as evidenced in his works Dībāchah-i Ghurat Al-Kamāl and Masnavī Nahu Sa’pehar
بورخیس کا فکشن: ’’مکانِ دیگر‘‘ اور ’’دہلیز‘‘ کےتصور کی روشنی میں
No full textJorge Luis Borges, a distinguished fiction writer of the twentieth century, originates from Argentina in Latin America. He introduced innovative techniques concerning form, style, and new thematic content in his prose. This paper aims to analyze Borges' fiction in the context of two spatial concepts: Heterotopia and Liminal Space. It has been observed that Borges’ work creates both physical or geographical and abstract or imaginary heterotopias, including houses, rooms, ruins, old buildings, palaces, libraries, museums, dreams, linguistic texts, and semi-mythical spaces. These alternative spaces subvert power narratives, effectively challenging the dominant worldview. Borges' fictional characters experience liminal spaces. These places represent a liberating, flexible, and ephemeral space in between. Instead of adhering to prevailing popular concepts and theories, the characters pause to reflect upon the threshold of free contemplation, actively seeking alternative perspectives to comprehend humanity, life, and the cosmos, ultimately freeing themselves from the chains of power narratives. The paper concludes that Borges utilizes both Heterotopias and Liminal Spaces in his fiction as a means of exploring reality