Every year, hundreds, if not thousands of Urdu books are published across India, let alone the world. These might not be as widely read as other non-English Indian languages such as Bangla, Marathi and Malayalam. Nevertheless, year after year, Urdu writers of different age and background have been publishing books in different genres – fiction as well as non-fiction, and on a rage of subjects.
Here’s my list of ten Urdu books that I enjoyed reading in 2024, and would like to recommend to anyone who is interested in Urdu literature beyond poetry. I have deliberately included only those books that were published in 2024. The list does not include any work of fiction – both poetry as well as prose – except for maybe just one.
This is not because no note-worthy book of fiction was not published last year or that I have missed out on reading them, but primarily because of my inability to judge and recommend work(s) of fiction.
The books are listed in the order that I have read them.
- Zikr-e-Mir: Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Hind, Delhi
Originally written in Persian, the book is the autobiography of pre-eminent Urdu poet Meer Taqi Meer (also Mir Taqi Mir), who was born three centuries ago in 1723. This is the first ever complete translation of the book, as in its previous versions, a section (last portion) was deleted/ ‘censored’ due to its perceived obscenity. The ‘censored’ part has been translated by scholar Dr. Sadaf Fatima from the original Persian. The book, as rightly pointed by Professor Shafey Kidwai, a bilingual critic and scholar, offers more than biographical details of the poet who was known as Khuda-e-Sukhan (the God of poetry). It “is a poignant tale of unrequited love, journeys, associations with the powers that be, accomplishments, and creative endeavours.” He also notes that, “(n)ot having any trace of the commissioned history, it presents an unbiased account of what transpired and happened in the later Mughal period. The tradition of Chronicle writing and non-fiction genres such as travelogues, spiritual discourse, and memories are meticulously dove-tailed into Zikr e Mir”.
- Nirali Urdu: Aalami Urdu Trust, Delhi
Karkhandari, as per Professor Gopi Chand Narang, a noted Urdu scholar, literary theorist, and linguist, is a social dialect spoken mostly by the artisans, traders, craftsmen and labourers of old Delhi. Nirali Urdu is a collection of short stories in Karkhandari dialect. Written by M.A. Mughni Dehlavi and originally published in 1932, it is the first and the only book in this dialect.
The book was re-published in January 2024. However, it is not just a re-publication of what was originally published in 1932 and reprinted in 2017 (in Pakistan), for there are useful additions to the current version. Its compiler Dost Mohammad Nabi Khan has added a short glossary (Farhang), a few explanatory notes (Wazahati Note) and some proverbs and idioms of Kharkhandari to it. The book is full of unique and offbeat stories from Delhi. If you can read Urdu script and are interested in Delhi, this book becomes an essential read.
Also Read: Urdu As a Language of Love of Different Kinds in the Time of Targeted Hate
- Monograph on G D Chandan : Urdu Academy, Delhi
Gurbachan Das Chandan, better known as G D Chandan, was a noted Urdu scholar and a prolific writer. He authored several important books such as Urdu Sahafat Par Eik Nazar (Urdu Journalism : At A Glance), Urdu Sahafat Ka Safar (Journey of Urdu Journalism) and Jame Jahan Numa: Urdu Sahafat Ki Ibteda (Jame Jahan Numa, the beginning of Urdu Journalism). The monograph, written by veteran Urdu journalist and editor Masoom Muradabadi, is an important addition to the growing literature on Chandan. The author, who knew Chandan personally, not only details the latter’s life and works in this slim book, but also provides context to the text which makes it quite insightful.
- Mandal Nama : Kitab Daar Publications, Mumbai
Originally compiled in Marathi, the book is perhaps the most unique addition to the list of Urdu books published in 2024. It is the memoir/autobiography of social justice activist and president of the All India Muslim OBC Organisation, Shabbir Ahmed Ansari. Titled after the Mandal Commission, Ansari recounts the struggles of OBC/Pasmanda Muslims in this book, not only in his home state of Maharashtra but across the country as well.
Among other important things, he also recounts the participation and patronage of the legendary actor Dilip Kumar in the struggle. The book is an important value addition to the existing literature on the Pasmanda/OBC Muslim discourse as discussions about its struggles in Maharashtra are often missing in most of the writings/debates on the subject. The book was compiled in Marathi by Dilip Waghmare and translated in Urdu by Malik Akbar.
- Tahzeebi Farhang : Educational Publishing House, Delhi
This big book (1058 pages) documents the culture and stories hidden behind words, idioms, phrases and names, etc. Authored by poet and writer Dr. Naima Jafri Pasha, the book has 26 chapters and each chapter documents some interesting stories about the word/phrase, apart from providing its meaning. The book starts with the names of Aaraish-e-Jamal (Cosmetics & Make Up) and goes on to detail about Khana Pakane Ki Istilaahaat (Cooking Terminologies), Rang (Colours), Saaz-o-Saamaan-e-Tahreer (Writing Materials), Bimariyaan, (Diseases), Rishte (Relations), Umr Ki Manzilein (Ageing Process), Paimaaish Aur Unka Nizam (System of Measurements), Saaz (Musical Instruments), to name a few. Perhaps the most fascinating chapter is the one on Muhazzab Galiyaan (Civilised Abuses).
- Nuskha-e-Hafeezuddin Ahmad : Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Hind, Delhi
The book is the earliest manuscript on Delhi’s Monuments, written by Hafeezuddin Ahmad in 1817. The manuscript, published for the first time, was housed in an obscure corner of the Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections at the British Library in London. It could be easily described as the most startling and ‘debatable’ Urdu publication of the year as, in its introductory note, Dr. Ather Farouqui, the general secretary of the Anjuman, writes that the book Aasaar-us-Sanaadeed by Sir Syed (1847) was a continuation of Sair-ul-Manaazil (by Sangeen Baig (1821/27) and Hafeezuddin Ahmad’s manuscript (1817). He also goes on to declare that it is now beyond doubt that Sair-ul-Manaazil was, in a sense, the plagiarised version of Ahmad’s manuscript. It can be noted that Sair-ul-Manaazil and Aasaar-us-Sanaadeed are considered two of the most important books about the buildings and monuments of Delhi in that period.
- Zoe, Ek Shakhs Tha : Urdu Qabeela, Thane
It is a book on one of the finest writers and translators of Urdu, Zoe Ansari. His original name was Zulle Hasnain Naqvi and he is known for many things, most importantly for his translations. He is considered the first Urdu writer to write quality books on George Bernard Shaw, Anton Chekhov, Alexander Pushkin and Fyodor Dostoevsky. He is also credited with having translated nearly a dozen Russian Classics in Urdu directly from Russian. In addition, he was a journalist, literary critic, researcher, columnist, poet and editor. No wonder that the famous poet and lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri said that people like Zoe Ansari can be counted on one’s fingers in the Urdu World. The book not only provides a glimpse of his life and works but also introduces some of his writings, both prose as well as poetry. It is compiled by Nadeem Siddiqui.
Also Read: Kanhaiya Lal Kapoor: A Master Urdu Satirist
- Monograph on Gulzar Dehlavi : Urdu Academy, Delhi
A pucca Dilliwala, Gulzar Dehlavi’s original name was Pandit Anand Mohan Zutshi and he used to be the jaan e mahfil (life of the gathering) in the pre-pandemic Urdu literary assemblies of Delhi. Gulzar sahab was a poet, scholar, and journalist. This monograph, written by veteran writer Farooq Argali, details the life and works of the poet, who passed away in 2020, one month before his 94th birthday. It also includes a section containing his own writings. Though very sketchy, it is an essential read as knowing Gulzar sahab is knowing about Delhi as it used to be, because he was a living of example of old Delhi’s culture and mannerism.
- Mushairon Ke Qisse : Nayaab Books, Delhi
Iqbal Ashar is a renowned poet and has been participating in mushairas across the globe for nearly four decades now. In this engrossing book, he shares with us untold stories about some of these gatherings along with select couplets recited on these occasions. As a result, it also informs us about the literary and poetic development that has transpired over the years. While most of the stories included in the book are interesting, I particularly liked the ones titled, “Mirza Ghalib Ka Mohalla”, Mirza Ghalib Ka Pados”, “Ubharte Fankaaro Ka Mushaira” and “Samaan Pheko”, to name a few out of the 69 qissas.
- Urdu Sahafat Ke Farogh Mein Ghair Muslim Sahafiyon Ki Khidmat: Nomani Care Foundation, Lucknow
We are often reminded that Urdu is not a language of Muslims alone and rightly so. But it is also a bitter truth that today it is mostly, if not only, practiced by Muslims. Hence, it becomes imperative to highlight the role and contributions of non-Muslims in the promotion and development of the language. In this book, senior journalist and writer Suhail Anjum chronicles the contributions of more than 50 such individuals in the promotion of Urdu journalism, starting with Harihar Datta, who started Urdu’s first newspaper Jam-i-Jahan-Numa in March 1822. The book also contains chapters on Urdu newspapers/magazines published by Hindu religious groups, Sikh religious groups and Christian Missionaries. It is a must read for anyone interested in the 200 year history of Urdu journalism.
