Urdu Service

What a dream!

Iftikhar Arif is one of the most respected voices in contemporary Urdu literature. A celebrated poet, scholar, and intellectual, his work blends classical tradition with modern thought, reflecting deep cultural insight and moral clarity. Formerly the Chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, he is widely admired for his contribution to poetry, language, and public discourse across the Urdu-speaking world.

In this episode of Urdu Service, we delve into the timeless poetry of the legendary Mirza Ghalib. We explore one of his most iconic ghazals, "Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat," a masterpiece that captures the essence of unrequited love, destiny, and human longing.

Siraj Aurangabadi (1712–1763) was a profound mystic and a foundational figure in classical Urdu poetry. Often associated with the "Aurangabad school," he served as a vital bridge between the ancient Deccani style and the modern Urdu ghazal.

Faiz Ahmed Faiz to a dear friend!

In this poem, the renowned Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz describes an evening in incarceration, challenging the darker fascist forces. He emphasizes that while they may be able to silence human voices, they cannot prevent the moonlight from reaching the prisoners as they spread their legs in the jail courtyards.

Amjad Islam Amjad (4 August 1944 – 10 February 2019) was one of Pakistan’s most popular and beloved Urdu poets. His poetry captures love, loss, and quiet longing with remarkable simplicity and emotional depth. In this recitation, we listen to one of his enduring poem.

Majaaz, a key figure in early 20th-century Urdu poetry, is known for blending romanticism with social consciousness. His work addresses themes of love, longing, and existential anguish, resonating with readers and establishing him as a beloved poet. Using simple yet evocative language, Majaaz's poetry is accessible and influential, celebrated for its emotional depth and lyrical beauty.

Qateel Shifai

Let's talk about love and its myriad faces.

Winter blues- autumn, poetry, ghazals, coffee, reading books by the fireside-missing someone dearly to share all the sensuous details of this profoundly nostalgic season.

Let us celebrate the fathers and father figures in our lives.

Nida Fazli, who lived from 1938 to 2016, was a prolific writer, poet, songwriter, dialogue writer, and journalist in both Urdu and Hindi. He contributed a unique tone and style to Urdu poetry that was previously overlooked by the literary elites. His poetry introduced a new poetic idiom to Urdu that resonated with and influenced the younger generation. Fazli's writing is characterized by simplicity, similar to the sayings of saints, yet still possessing the poetic grandeur and sweetness of folk songs.

Is it possible for words to truly capture the essence of motherhood? What are your thoughts?

Let's continue celebrating the unique artistic talents of Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and his ability to find humor in drab life situations.

Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was an Urdu poet, translator, journalist, prose writer, and lyricist. Film lyrics came easy to him; he could write the songs on demand in as little as ten minutes, which often proved immensely popular. Raja Mehdi Ali khan brought the linguistic finesse of the Urdu ghazal to the mainstream Indian film industry. Madan Mohan-Raja Mehdi Ali Khan's partnership produced some of the most beautiful film songs, many of them ghazals.

Pakeezah: Meena Kumari's swan song, which took fifteen years to complete, was applauded for cinematographic larger-than-life film sets, music, poetry, dance, and costumes.

Meena Kumari, Hindi cinema's "great tragedienne,' tried her hand at Urdu Poetry. Tanha Chand (Lonely Moon), a collection of Meena Kumari's poems, was compiled by famous lyricist Gulzar and published after her death in 1972. I write, I recite – an album consisting of Meena Kumari's verses under the label of LP Vinyl Record was released in 1971, and two renditions from her album are included in this podcast.

Let's celebrate love, life, spring, and happiness!

This episode remembers the magical voice of Amin Sayani that brought back many memories of yesteryears of Bollywood music broadcasted from Radio Ceylon and Binaca Geet Mala.

December is the birth month of Mirza Ghalib. This episode celebrates his life through his life account and poetry.

Let's get acquainted with a prominent Urdu poet of our times- Hassan Abbas Raza

Let me take you decades back when Amanat Lucknavi wrote the first stage drama of Urdu literature in 1853. It had 830 couplets and eight characters that appeared on the stage. Today we call such dramas musicals.

Let's listen to the lifelong journey of the famous ghazal singer of our times~ Jagjit Singh.

The story of Qawwali, which is a popular genre of music and poetry in indian-subcontinent, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan.

Spring is in the air!

In this episode, I am retelling the story of the historical city of Lahore, from the 11th Century to date. Known as ''The Diamond of The Punjab" in the olden days, it is now called " The Heart of Pakistan."

I am reminiscing about my childhood. The short, gloomy winter days brought out all these emotions in me, and I let them out. Let's celebrate our fathers and father figures in our life, who contributed to making us who we are today as human beings.

Not all singers can sing ghazals well. Let's listen to the immortal ghazals sung by Madam Noor Jahan!

War Songs of Madam Noor Jahan 1965, an important milestone for her singing career, when she did not shy away from offering her services for the army soldiers, with her singing talent, to boost their morale. At the same time, they were fighting in the trenches to guard the borders of their beloved country and listening to her voice on radio sound waves.

A tribute to the legendary singer on her 20th death anniversary. She belongs to all the lovers of music, irrespective of their nationality.

Let me tell you the story of other two famous diamonds who belong to India.

Today, I am telling you the story of a world-famous diamond, Koh-e-Noor (the mountain of light). How it changed hands, and how it changed the fates of its owners for good or bad. Let's find out!

Some lighthearted talk from historical and cultural perspective on kinds of marriages, social norms, how Covid-19 has impacted our lives and it's benefits of working from home.

The history of tea drinking in the world!

Asia's first postal stamp, issued in Sindh in 1852.

Elections in the air!

New business ideas, Karachi ki barish, school admissions, some poetry and songs!

A light talk about the changing traditions of our daily lives!

A casual talk about Ibn-e-Insha, Covid -19, and other light topics/poetry.