The re-verse of love
Brunch|March 09, 2024
Urdu poetry, fuelled by love and longing, fired up by politics, amplified by Instagram, and reimagined by indie bands, is finding new fans. Ghazal, nazm, Shayari — it’s hearts all around
Karishma Kuenzang
The re-verse of love
What’s your love language? For young people in India today, it’s literally a language: Urdu. It’s been around for at least 800 years; the 2011 census shows that India has well over 67 million Urdu speakers. “But that audience has surged with the rise of Instagram poetry in the last decade,” says Aamir Aziz, 33, a poet, musician, composer and actor in Mumbai. Poems are unfolding, couplet by couplet, on

platforms such as Terribly Tiny Tales (@TTT_Official). Urdu poetry is referencing ghosting and mobile phones. It’s getting quoted in Pakistani rap. Rekhta, a decade-old archive for poetry and literature in the language, has close 925K fo l l ower s on In s t ag ram (@Rekhta_Foundation). And Urdu itself seems to have relaxed somewhat.

See how music, Reels and workshops are giving an old language a smitten new audience.

Writing the balance

Aamir Aziz, 33 

“Even fifteen years ago, Urdu poetry was a small-town endeavor,” says the poet, musician, composer and actor. “Now, writing Urdu in the Roman script is common. The internet, especially Instagram, has a big role to play in this.”

この記事は Brunch の March 09, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Brunch の March 09, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

BRUNCHのその他の記事すべて表示
Is It Scrolling Or Screening?
Brunch

Is It Scrolling Or Screening?

Being on the phone while the TV plays is the new normal. Just don't do it when there's company. A case for what it means to be present

time-read
2 分  |
November 16, 2024
This week, we're...
Brunch

This week, we're...

Preferring the spinoff.

time-read
2 分  |
November 16, 2024
The newest tricks in the book
Brunch

The newest tricks in the book

Time is money. Here are the best hacks for saving precious seconds and taking even your everyday feed to the next level

time-read
2 分  |
November 16, 2024
Snuffing out the flames
Brunch

Snuffing out the flames

Has online dating peaked? People are ditching the apps, going old-school, and aiming for IRL connections. Here's how the swipe failed a whole generation

time-read
3 分  |
November 16, 2024
Off the eaten path
Brunch

Off the eaten path

In hotels, cafes and home kitchens cooks are getting creative with food waste. Tomato skins show up in a cake, fat flavours broths, peels have fresh appeal. Of course, we're cheering this change

time-read
5 分  |
November 16, 2024
Glamming up your getaway
Brunch

Glamming up your getaway

Every island in the Maldives is stunning. So how do resorts offer a luxury upgrade? At Cheval Blanc it's by elevating every experience-food, service, spa and beyond

time-read
3 分  |
November 16, 2024
Benefits with friends
Brunch

Benefits with friends

Of course it's harder to make friends as we grow older. Responsibilities, increase, time is short. Luckily, we have our tribes

time-read
2 分  |
November 16, 2024
A portrait to reflect upon
Brunch

A portrait to reflect upon

Playing with lighting and layering, a young Amrita Sher-Gil depicted herself as bold, mischievous, and enigmatic - all at once

time-read
2 分  |
November 16, 2024
Keep your trope shut
Brunch

Keep your trope shut

A divided world, a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a prophecy, a burden too heavy for a young adult. 10 YA dystopian cliches to vanquish in battle.

time-read
2 分  |
November 16, 2024
Sanjeeda Shaikh
Brunch

Sanjeeda Shaikh

Actor, @IAmSanjeeda

time-read
1 min  |
November 16, 2024