Dubai expat publishes book on UAE contributions to Urdu language – News
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The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) saw the launch of an extraordinary book titled ‘Itrdaan’, which offers an intriguing exploration of the history of Urdu literature in the UAE.
Written by Shadab Ulfat, an Indian expatriate, the 326-page book sheds light on the significant contributions of over 180 UAE-based people to the Urdu language, which ranks as the 10th most spoken language globally.
‘Itrdaan’, a term that translates to “fragrance” in English, is structured into three distinct sections. The first section delves into the pivotal role played by individuals from earlier eras in shaping Urdu literature in the country. The second section highlights current contributors to Urdu literature in the region, while the third part presents new and promising voices from the UAE’s Urdu literary scene.
Expressing his inspiration for this work, Ulfat said, “I was deeply moved by our elders, who fondly remembered the bygone days of Urdu when we met. Their stories motivated me to embark on a two-year journey to immortalize their memories. and invaluable contributions within the pages of this book.” Ulfat, who is also the author of a travelogue, a poetry collection and a novel, said it was important to him to preserve this rich heritage.
The publication process, including the launch of the book, was handled by Bazm e Urdu, a Dubai-based organization dedicated to promoting Urdu language and literature in the country. Bazm e Urdu has been working closely with Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and SIBF for several years. They have organized events for schools during the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) and have hosted celebrity talk shows and book launches during the SIBF. However, this is the first time they have had their own booth at the fair.
Rehan Khan, founder and general secretary of Bazm e Urdu, mentioned that ‘Itrdaan’ can be found at the ‘Gosha-e-Kutub’ stall at SIBF, where it shares space with 500 other Urdu titles from renowned authors and esteemed publishers. . The collection is aimed at readers of all ages and covers poetry, prose, biographies, historical fiction and even Urdu translations or adaptations of the record-breaking Harry Potter series.
Khan emphasized that his aim is to rekindle and promote the love for the Urdu language, uniting people across all barriers of age, race and religion. The Sharjah International Book Fair will be held at the Expo Center Sharjah until November 11.
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