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Background, Aims and Essentials
You may read this page in the given sequence, or as you wish, click on following six different parts:
If you are an 'Urdu Lover,' then you may be knowing more than me. Let me make my submission to you.
In India, during the Muslim rule, the official language was Persian, and through the British rule the official language was English. During these two periods, Urdu had been serving as the major common language of Indian sub continent and its masses.
Its greatness was as under:
Almost all people, when they heard Urdu, they understood it. Many of them, indeed, could neither read nor write Urdu.
Most persons spoke and communicated fairly well in Urdu. Many of them, indeed, could neither read nor write Urdu.
Many out of the population learnt reading (and / or reciting) Urdu script, printed in 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh.' They relished reading Urdu, because they understood what they were reading or reciting. They might have not learnt to write Urdu in long hand.
Some individuals also learnt how to write Urdu in long hand. Typing Urdu was not common and so was not the computer.
Also, the Indian and Pakistani struggle for Independence was waged using Urdu as a media and the language of the masses.
Current Type Faces or Scripts:
Most commonly, Urdu is printed in 'Nastaleeq,' as in the Arabic and Persian scripts. About 25 % of the Urdu vocabulary has its roots in Arabic and Persian languages and 60 to 70 % in 'Hindi' and 'Sansikrat,' the two older languages of India. 'Sansikrat' is a sacred religious and less shared language in masses. Hindi is printed in 'Devnagri.' Urdu is also printed in 'Naskh,' which is a 'simplified and made easy' form of 'Nastaleeq.'
One proposal: If Urdu, containing too many Hindi words, could be printed in 'Devnagri?' In that case, it would have been fairly functional with the Hindi speaking masses. But, the lovers of 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh,' which including many Hindi speaking Urdu scholars, voiced against the proposal and the experimentation of printing Urdu in 'Devnagri Script.'
One Experiment: During British rule, their officials not only learnt Urdu language in its original form and grandeur, but also opened schools and colleges to promote and serve that form and grandeur of Urdu language. Besides, the British officials also initiated, introduced and used Urdu printed in 'Roman Script.' This deviation of font was fairly functional and beneficial for the rulers. But, as voiced by the devotees of 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh,' it was detrimental to Urdu 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh,' so precious to them.
Urdu has not been displayed in any other option beyond being printed in 'Nastaleeq,' 'Naskh,' 'Devnagri' or 'Roman.'
As an 'Urdu Lover,' you shall be knowing more than me. Let me make my submission to you.
Urdu had long been serving as the major common language in the Indian Sub Continent. After its independence from Britain, India declared Hindi as its official language. It amounted to printing Urdu in 'Devnagri.' Since then Urdu, in 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh,' is gradually disappearing from the motherland India. Although the categories 1 and 2 mentioned in 'The Bright Past of Urdu' have not been annihilated, yet the categories 3 and 4 have almost been totally dislodged. Urdu in its 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh,' has lost its future in India. How sad it is?
After its independence from Britain and separation from India, Pakistan enhanced the status of Urdu to a National Language. It was a great positive step, safeguarding Urdu scripts of 'Nastaleeq' and 'Naskh' and Urdu literature in their original forms and shapes. Urdu lovers were indeed very happy and satisfied. How good it was?
In Pakistan, the masses learn to read Urdu in 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh.' They are pleased with the current ways, script, type face and scope of Urdu. The ideas of printing Urdu in 'Devnagri' or in 'Roman Script' were not appreciated by the Urdu lovers. Proposals for a 'Third Alternative' have not been seriously and rationally considered by the Urdu lovers.
Pakistan adopted and has continued English as its official language. Hopefully, it shall continue in future. English continues in courts, in most offices and as the medium of instruction, beyond secondary schools. Urdu is far fragile and neglected to triamph or even equal English.
Urdu was never prepared to meet the wild modern challenges of accelerated progress in information age. For half a century, the arguments have continued in Pakistan, whether to insist and live (and die) with 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh' scripts of Urdu, or devise fresh fonts and scripts suitable and compatible with present and future requirements, such as gaining significance in the information age. The debates and arguments still continue. How good it is?
During these 'Urdu debates' East Pakistan, having more Pakistanis dwelling there than in West Pakistan, got separated from West Pakistan and its Urdu. East Pakistan, now Bangladash, has no more love or future for Urdu and its complicated yet charming script. How sad it is?
During these 'Urdu debates' the usefulness and popularity of Urdu with the masses of Pakistan, suffered political set backs. Urdu is now being associated with the descendants of immigrants from India to Pakistan. They constitute about 10 % of the total population of Pakistan and reside in a few cities of Pakistan. They indeed love their commitment to Urdu. Apparently, all others are not very concerned. How sad it is?
Urdu had been the medium of instruction at primary and secondary schools, in Pakistan. But, progressively, more and more students are switching to English, as their medium of instruction at primary and secondary levels. Gradually, Urdu is being relegated to a still lower significance, in Pakistan. However, the debates whether or not to modify Urdu fonts, still continue in Pakistan. Is it a sign of life existing in Urdu?
Outside Pakistan, in America and Europe, the generations born to 'Urdu Knowing Parents,' understand Urdu when spoken to. They can converse in Urdu when forced to. They do not and can not read Urdu, printed in the complicated scripts of 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh.' And, they have no desire or need to write Urdu, in long hand or type Urdu.
Outside Pakistan, the 'Urdu Knowing Seniors,' as long as they live, cherish Urdu and relish local Urdu magazines, printed in 'Nastaleeq.' But, they are unable to train their children and grand children to read Urdu , printed in 'Nastaleeq.' They are also unable to pass on the jewels of Urdu literature accumulated in its decorative scripts, to their descendents. Would they not love to?
With the great utility and excitement of 'Internet' and for the lack of compatible Urdu Script and its significance in information technology, more and more 'descendants of Nastaleeq devotees,' who still can converse in spoken Urdu, are adopting 'Roman Script' to express themselves on the 'Internet Chats.' Without hesitation, the 'Heirs of Urdu' express Urdu in 'Roman Script' to communicate with their friends, on Internet. They relish reading and typing 'Roman Urdu,' because they can understand what they read or type. Many of them are not aware of 'Nastaleeq' and valuable stocks of Urdu literature. Urdu with all its jewels of literature stored in its decorative 'Nastaleeq' script, is almost a naught to these 'Heirs of Urdu.' How sad it is?
'Jang Pakistan' publishes its Internet material in 'Roman.' And, to transform Urdu knowing patrons to 'Roman,' JangPakistan teaches them Roman Urdu Letters, Grammer with ample Examples. More and more Moghals (of Urdu) are being baptized as Romans! How gracious it is?
The 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh' of Urdu surrendered to 'Devnagri' in India, got overthrown in Bangladesh, lost its notability and patronage in Pakistan and, (apparently) is breathing its last during the information age competition on the Internet. How very sad it is?
Why am I making my submission in English, and not in Urdu? It is because:
I cannot contact you using traditional Urdu 'Nastaleeq,' on the Internet.
Through English media on the Internet, I am optimist to approach you and many lovers, devotees and patrons of Urdu Nastaleeq, spread all over the modern IT world.
And, Urdu is not yet a fully competent and mass serving IT language. God willing, you and many like you shall make it fully competent and mass serving IT language.
Amidst the above stated depressed and down hearted environments, confidently, we welcome you and greet you, the 'Nastaleeq' and / or 'Naskh' lovers, devotees and patrons, ladies and gents. We offer you lot of hope, promise and assurance. Stay with us!
The Urdu lovers belong to one or more of following categories. How many of these relate to you?
- Can read Urdu in original 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh.' Can write in long hand. Like to type.
- Can read Urdu in original 'Nastaleeq' or 'Naskh.' Can not write. Would like to type.
- Can understand and reply in Urdu. Can not read Urdu. Would like to read and type.
- Care to retain original beauty and charm of 'Nastaleeq,' as far as possible.
- Criticize to print Urdu in 'Devnagri' or in 'Roman' scripts.
- Covet to add today's technologies and facilities to Urdu, our forefathers' language.
- Crave to possess all conveniences, especially and specifically held by Roman fonts.
Urdu, in its traditional 'Nastaleeq' fonts, has no chance to enter and survive, in the fast and competitive race of technology and progress.
However, with some sacrifice of emotions by 'Urdu Devotees,' they can divert the destruction of Urdu to its triumph. With some flexibility, adaptability, high-mindedness, some tolerance in attitude and some spending on transformation and training, it can be done.
Urdu, with all its jewels and gems of past and present, can be saved and reproduced, to the 'Heirs of Urdu.' Are you, the patrons of Urdu, ready and willing to participate?First and foremost exigency is, that each Urdu letter should be represented by only one single specific symbol. This single symbol should be able to work very well, at all possible positions in a word and locations in a text. What it amounts to is: Reducing too many alphabetic symbols and printing Urdu text with only one symbol per letter.
LOOK AT THIS ENGLISH SENTENCE, PRINTED WITH ONLY ONE SYMBOL PER LETTER.
What could be the 'Aims and Essentials' of such a font, using only one symbol per letter?
Retain old Beauty, Charm and the original 'Direction of Writing' of Nastaleeq
Reform, Simplify and Reduce Nastaleeq symbols to only One Symbol per Letter
Resume all 'I T Capabilities and Comforts,' envied in the Roman Script
Reproduce all Gems and Jewels of Urdu Literature, amassed in Nastaleeq
Regard equally, the ordinary Urdu Readers or the I T Gurus in information age
Revive Confidence amongst the 'Heirs of Urdu,' for the Urdu Language
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