Natasha, le de ke humaare beech aacha khaasa pyaar ikhata ho jayega...I'm expanding the heart for more of this len den ---- thank you-- if Raju had not been so amused and asked me what my deal with sanjeeda shayari is -- i don't think this would've come through on substack!
Sitting here in a very public space, unable to stop smiling and grinning while reading this joy of an essay. The humorously borderline-angsty, playful push-pull relationship with Urdu was such a different take from the veneration and romanticising of Urdu (perhaps deservedly! who knows? not this bong, not yet) I am used to. It whets my appetite to dip a toe in these waters. Thank you :)
Thank you koyel ! This is one of the few pieces that make me smile when I read too and getting someone else also to grin through it feels good ! Thank you for letting me know
What an abso delightful piece, made me so smile — to quote something totally out of its context, just because its got some Urdu (one supposes): iss hamaam main hum bhi nangey hain, parr koshish aur kashish donon zaari hai!
I was wondering too-- whjy after all the good intentions from a few months ago--and no follow through- how come I felt like recording this one --- for me must be the comfort of using more than one language in the writing --- baaki workshop ka suroor was there for all three!
Urdu is your nazla! How perfectly it desribes your relationship to the language. A friend once wondered why we get poetic and philosophical after two drinks. I'm still scratching my head about that one, but its true, do peg ke baad sabka inner Ghalib jaag jata hai.
Savvvy! You are reading/listening that makes me soo happy! I thought of you when I wrote the piece on tables and wondered if you recall the hostel madness in it! Thanks Love--I hope to be read more by you!
lol arey tmne mere jaise logon k baarey mein bhi likha hai - jo bas aainwayin thora bahot dikhawa kr lete hain lol thori parwarish aur thora mahaul mila toh zara tallaffuz theek raha wrna there was so much I learned from your piece! We should have a group of Urdu learners, esp for female Urdu poets :)
Nahi ! that was meant for folks like me, when i knew a few more ghazals and shers and 3 more words than today---- I think we could give this a try -- poochein kya aas paas---
Bahut khubh. I loved this piece of writing. Being a Pucca Hyderabadi and spent half of my goverment life in Delhi a part of me is dipped in Urdu. I still remember my first encounter in rural UP way back in 1980 when a dhabha ka Malik asked me Hyderabad se aye yo yaa Lucknow se looking at my pajama kurta with a shoulder bag and beard. My shakal was rustic urban lad who ran off the home in search of Shayaris. Anyway I say ye to marji hain bhain
Behadd umda… mohatarma moley!!!!
Mohtarma moley i could get used to!
Roshni yaar, kitna pyaar karwaoge mujhse 🥰🥰🥰
What an extraordinary umdaa piece of writing. The search for self and other parts of the world through the trail of Urdu words
Natasha, le de ke humaare beech aacha khaasa pyaar ikhata ho jayega...I'm expanding the heart for more of this len den ---- thank you-- if Raju had not been so amused and asked me what my deal with sanjeeda shayari is -- i don't think this would've come through on substack!
Sitting here in a very public space, unable to stop smiling and grinning while reading this joy of an essay. The humorously borderline-angsty, playful push-pull relationship with Urdu was such a different take from the veneration and romanticising of Urdu (perhaps deservedly! who knows? not this bong, not yet) I am used to. It whets my appetite to dip a toe in these waters. Thank you :)
Thank you koyel ! This is one of the few pieces that make me smile when I read too and getting someone else also to grin through it feels good ! Thank you for letting me know
What an abso delightful piece, made me so smile — to quote something totally out of its context, just because its got some Urdu (one supposes): iss hamaam main hum bhi nangey hain, parr koshish aur kashish donon zaari hai!
Aiee thanks Indu ! You quoted one of my fav phrases with the hamam!
Wow! What is this sudden bauchhaar of audio essays in Urdu by OSC rockstars - Sanobar, Reema and now you! Gorgeous stuff! :))
I was wondering too-- whjy after all the good intentions from a few months ago--and no follow through- how come I felt like recording this one --- for me must be the comfort of using more than one language in the writing --- baaki workshop ka suroor was there for all three!
Urdu is your nazla! How perfectly it desribes your relationship to the language. A friend once wondered why we get poetic and philosophical after two drinks. I'm still scratching my head about that one, but its true, do peg ke baad sabka inner Ghalib jaag jata hai.
heheheh! pata chale tho batana - warna December main saath philosophical ho jayenge!
Done!
I enjoyed listening to it....Was happy to hear your voice😊...
Savvvy! You are reading/listening that makes me soo happy! I thought of you when I wrote the piece on tables and wondered if you recall the hostel madness in it! Thanks Love--I hope to be read more by you!
Hilarious!!!! From Nazla to Musalsal Nazla!
Ab -- tumhara urdu waala grace tho aspirational hi hai-- tab tak comedy sahi! Muah
lol arey tmne mere jaise logon k baarey mein bhi likha hai - jo bas aainwayin thora bahot dikhawa kr lete hain lol thori parwarish aur thora mahaul mila toh zara tallaffuz theek raha wrna there was so much I learned from your piece! We should have a group of Urdu learners, esp for female Urdu poets :)
Nahi ! that was meant for folks like me, when i knew a few more ghazals and shers and 3 more words than today---- I think we could give this a try -- poochein kya aas paas---
Kyun nahin!
Bahut khubh. I loved this piece of writing. Being a Pucca Hyderabadi and spent half of my goverment life in Delhi a part of me is dipped in Urdu. I still remember my first encounter in rural UP way back in 1980 when a dhabha ka Malik asked me Hyderabad se aye yo yaa Lucknow se looking at my pajama kurta with a shoulder bag and beard. My shakal was rustic urban lad who ran off the home in search of Shayaris. Anyway I say ye to marji hain bhain
Hahahaha! Yes, some this comes out of our clothes and pores! Hyd dilli has done me a lot of good too