Can Urdu Literature Thrive in the Digital Era?
Urdu literature, a vast heritage of the subcontinent’s civilization and culture, has been winning hearts for centuries through its poetry, prose, and linguistic beauty. But now, as we have entered the digital age of the 21st century, where the internet, social media (YouTube, Blogger, Facebook, AI chatbots, etc.), and modern technology have transformed our lifestyle, thinking, and creativity, an important question arises: Can Urdu literature maintain its identity and significance in this new era?
To find the answer to this question, we must delve into the past of Urdu literature, assess its present, and reflect on its future possibilities. In this note, we will examine every aspect in detail to present a complete picture, and I will explain how Urdu literature has taken on a sublime form in today’s world and the ways its complexities can now be easily mastered. Let’s take a look at the historical journey of this language.
Historical Background of Urdu Literature: Roots and Evolution
The story of Urdu literature is ancient, beginning at least in the 12th century when Amir Khusro gave birth to this language by blending Hindavi, Persian, and local dialects. It evolved through the Deccan Sultanates and the Mughal era, reaching its peak in the 18th and 19th centuries. During this period, Urdu poetry enchanted the world with forms like ghazal, nazm, qasida, and masnavi.
Image: The rise of Urdu literature in the Mughal era
Mir Taqi Mir expressed pain and sorrow in his ghazals with such beauty that his verses still touch hearts today, such as:
Similarly, Mirza Ghalib presented philosophy, love, and life’s contradictions in his poetry, for example:
The poetry of Ghalib and Mir
Beyond poetry, Urdu prose also journeyed from dastans to novels and from novels to short stories. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan strengthened Urdu prose with educational writings, while Munshi Premchand highlighted social issues with masterpieces like "Godaan" and "Eidgah". Later, writers like Saadat Hasan Manto, Ashfaq Ahmad, and Qurratulain Hyder elevated short story writing to new heights. This was the era of paper, pen, and printed books, where the dissemination of literature was limited but profound. But now, as the world has gone digital, can this traditional literature establish its presence in this new medium?
The Dawn of the Digital Age: A Storm of Change
To understand the digital age, we must examine its fundamental characteristics. The internet has turned the world into a global village. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter (now X), Instagram, and YouTube have transformed how people connect and express creativity. Nowadays, people prefer short videos, blogs, or 280-character tweets over lengthy books. Mobile phones and e-readers have replaced paper books, and tools like artificial intelligence (AI) have opened new possibilities for content creation. This transformation has had a dual impact on literature.
Positive Aspects
Literature can now spread globally, new writers are getting opportunities, and old masterpieces are being preserved in digital form.
Negative Aspects
Readers’ attention spans have shortened, quality is being compromised, and traditional literary taste is fading. Urdu literature must steer its ship through this storm, and to do so, it needs to present itself in new ways.
Urdu Literature’s Digital Presence: What’s Happening?
Urdu literature has stepped into the digital age, and several forms of it have emerged. Let’s explore them in detail:
Image: Urdu poetry on social media
Websites and E-Books
The digitization of Urdu literature owes much to websites. "Rekhta" is the most prominent example. This website is a treasure trove of Urdu poetry and prose, offering millions of verses, books, and short stories for free. From the collections of poets like Ghalib, Iqbal, and Faiz to the stories of Manto and Ismat Chughtai, everything is just a click away. Rekhta has not only preserved old literature but also made it accessible to the new generation with audio readings and translations. For instance, Faiz’s poem "Hum Dekhenge" can not only be read but also listened to in audio form. Rekhta’s services don’t end here—it can be used for many purposes, whether you want to check the meaning of a word or its poetic meter. It’s a blessing for poets too, because poetry isn’t composed without meter.
Similarly, other websites like "Urdu Point" and "Urdu Library" have promoted Urdu literature through e-books. These platforms have attracted new readers, especially those living abroad who don’t have access to Urdu books. At the end, I’ll try to share links to all these resources so you can find them there.
Poetry and Prose on Social Media
Social media has given Urdu literature a new hue. Poets post their creations on Facebook and Instagram, often going viral. A young poet like Tehzeeb Hafi has reached millions through social media. Here’s one of his excellent verses:
Thousands liked and shared it, proving that social media is breathing new life into Urdu poetry. Similarly, short verses and phrases are very popular on X (Twitter). For example, a user wrote:
Such verses are not only relatable but also resonate with the emotions of the new generation. In terms of prose, many writers are publishing short stories or columns on Facebook. These writings are read more than lengthy books because they are concise and engaging.
Online Mushairas and Video Content
YouTube has provided a major platform for Urdu literature. Videos of mushairas, poetry readings, and literary discussions have attracted new audiences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional mushairas stopped, online mushairas brought poets from around the world together. For example, a mushaira hosted on Rekhta’s YouTube channel featured Rahat Indori, Munawwar Rana, and other poets, watched by millions. Here’s an original piece by Rahat Indori—take a look, it’s brilliant:
Image: Rahat Indori’s mushaira
It was not only heard but also shared on social media. Similarly, poetry videos with background music and visual effects are highly popular among the younger generation. The way Jaun Elia’s poetry is being loved by the youth owes much to his unique style and the choice of words that beautifully highlight ruin and sorrow. This content is taking Urdu literature beyond its traditional sphere and giving it a modern form, just like many other poets.
Blogs and Online Journals
Blogs have given new writers a chance to raise their voices. Many writers are now publishing their stories, essays, and poetry on personal blogs. For instance, I myself am sharing all this information with you through this blog, and surely you’re enjoying it too. On a website called "Urdu Blog", new articles on social, political, and literary topics are published daily. Additionally, digital editions of traditional literary journals like "Fanoon", "Adab-e-Lateef", and "Sahitya" are emerging. These journals publish new writers and present old literature in digital form.
Apps and Other Tools
Mobile apps are also being developed for Urdu literature. The "Rekhta App", available in three different versions—one specific to poetry, one to dictionaries, and one known as Rekhta Taqtee for checking poetic meter—is a prime example. Besides that, apps like "Urdu Poetry" and "Urdu Stories", along with poets’ collections published as apps, have made poetry and prose accessible anytime, anywhere. Moreover, several apps on the Google Play Store help with learning and writing Urdu, indirectly promoting literature.
Benefits of the Digital Age: New Opportunities for Urdu Literature
Digitization has brought several benefits to Urdu literature, and it’s essential to review them:
Global Reach
The internet has freed Urdu literature from borders. Now, a Pakistani poet’s work can be read by someone sitting in London, New York, or Dubai. For example, Usama Sarsari, who is also my mentor—this humble Sami Ullah Aajiz learned aruz from him, which is crucial for poetry, allowing you to mold words into meter and rhythm—is a literary and poetic figure from Pakistan whose poetry is reaching Pakistanis and Indians abroad, as well as people worldwide who understand Urdu. He also has a YouTube channel named Usama Sarsari, which you can check out—I’ll try to provide its link at the end. Here’s one of his compositions:
At the end, I’ll also provide a link to his website, which you can visit—he has done tremendous work for literature. It has been appreciated globally. This globalization is a major advantage for Urdu literature.
Emergence of New Writers
Social media and blogs have given opportunities to those who couldn’t access traditional publishing houses, like me. Writers from small towns or villages are now connecting directly with readers. For example, a young writer posted his short story "The Night Traveler" on Facebook, a tale of a man traveling at night. Thousands read and praised it, something that wouldn’t have been possible in the traditional era.
Educational Facility
Resources for Urdu literature are now available online for students. University students researching Ghalib, Iqbal, or Manto find Rekhta and other websites a treasure trove. Additionally, online courses and lectures have made understanding and learning Urdu literature easier. I think we’ve already discussed some of these facilities, like Rekhta, Blogger, and YouTube, etc.
Preservation of Language
Digital content has helped preserve Urdu’s linguistic heritage. The new generation, accustomed to Roman Urdu (e.g., "Dil" or "Mohabbat"), is now relearning to write and read in the original script. Platforms like Rekhta have kept Urdu’s alphabet and pronunciation alive. Now, with Google Keyboard, you can write in Urdu script—though this applies to every language’s script—thanks to which Urdu’s script has been preserved today.
Diversity and Experimentation
The digital age has brought diversity to Urdu literature. Now, literature is being presented through poetry, videos, memes, and graphics. For instance, Iqbal’s verse "Rise, awaken the poor of my world" was turned into an animated video, which became very popular among the youth.
Image: A modern take on Iqbal’s poetry
Challenges: Dangers of the Digital Age
Alongside benefits, the digital age has posed several challenges that could threaten Urdu literature:
Decline in Quality
The race for instant fame on social media has sidelined quality. Many poets or writers now focus on shallow, popular topics or even vulgarity instead of depth to gain more "likes" and "shares". They’ve forgotten the essence of poetry. Some poets don’t even consider aruz and compose without principles or meter. For example, a poet wrote—let me name him—today’s poet Ali Zaryoun writes in meter, but whether there’s depth in these verses, I leave that to you. Take a look at three couplets from his ghazal:
They lack the depth found in Ghalib or Faiz’s works. Poets like Wasi Shah believe that "A weak verse may win temporary praise, but only quality literature endures." I could talk a lot about this, but the blog would get too long.
Distance from Books
The abundance of digital content has weakened readers’ connection with books. The new generation prefers short writings on screens, reducing interest in lengthy novels or stories. For instance, Manto’s story "Toba Tek Singh", which leaves a deep impact when read on paper, is now fully read by fewer people because its short video or summary is watched more.
Linguistic Change
The influence of Roman Urdu and English has affected the use of pure Urdu. Many now write "Urdu" as "Ardo" or mix English words into short sentences, like "I’m very intelligent". And many such sentences. This trend is endangering the language’s originality and beauty. Additionally, difficulties with Urdu keyboards and fonts have pushed it back.
Commercial Pressure
The race for "likes" and "followers" on social media has turned poetry and prose into a business. Many poets now write according to public demand rather than literary value. For example, light poetry on love and separation is more popular, while social or philosophical themes get less attention. This is why society can’t produce an Iqbal. Still, I do write philosophical poetry, so here’s one of my ghazals—let’s first discuss its meter and rhythm.
The scansion of Bahr-e-Mujtath Muthamman Makhboon Mahzoof is "Mafa’ilun Fa’ilatun Mafa’ilun Fa’ilun". The full name of the meter with the scansion "Maf’oolu Fa’ilatun Maf’oolu Fa’ilatun" is Bahr-e-Muzari’ Muthamman Akhrab Makfoof Mahzoof. And within this meter, these couplets were written:
Copyright and Theft
In the digital age, literary theft (plagiarism) has become a major issue. Many people post others’ verses or writings under their own names, with no legal protection. This discourages original creators, and it’s truly unfortunate—I wonder how people’s consciences allow them to claim someone else’s work as their own.
The Future of Urdu Literature: Possibilities and Suggestions
Predicting Urdu literature’s digital future might be premature, but the possibilities are vast. If used in the right direction, it can not only survive but thrive. Let’s consider some possibilities and suggestions:
Promotion of Quality Content
Literary institutions, websites, and social media platforms should promote quality literature. For example, platforms like Rekhta could hold competitions for new writers, prioritizing depth and quality. Additionally, literary criticism could be presented digitally to guide writers.
Better Use of Technology
Artificial intelligence (AI) and apps could introduce new ways to learn and write Urdu. For instance, an AI tool that teaches the rules of Urdu poetry or generates verses automatically could attract the new generation. Moreover, virtual reality (VR) could present mushairas or literary stories in a three-dimensional (three-dimensional) form.
Blend of Traditional and Modern Literature
Alongside digitizing books, their printed copies should also be maintained. For example, an e-book of "Diwan-e-Ghalib" could be sold alongside its beautifully printed copy to meet the needs of both types of readers. Additionally, traditional storytelling could be presented in video or podcast form.
Role of Educational Institutions
Urdu literature should be taught in schools and universities using digital tools. For instance, students could be encouraged to hold online mushairas or write blogs. This would spark interest in Urdu among the new generation.
Global Collaboration
To promote Urdu literature globally, collaboration with international literary institutions should be pursued. For example, English translations of Urdu poetry could be promoted so non-Urdu speakers can enjoy it too. I’m also trying for everyone—like this blog is in Urdu, and I’ll upload its English version too.
Conclusion
So, can Urdu literature thrive in the digital era? The answer cannot be a simple "yes" or "no". Urdu literature has certainly made its presence felt in the digital world—through websites, social media, and online mushairas, it has reached new readers and listeners. But at the same time, it faces several challenges, such as decline in quality, linguistic change, and distance from books.
If we look at it with a balanced perspective, it can be said that Urdu literature stands at a crossroads. If it blends its traditional depth and beauty with modern demands, it will not only survive but also reach new heights. But if it gets caught up in the race for instant fame and shallow content, its true spirit could be at risk.
In the end, this verse by Iqbal best reflects this journey:
Urdu literature too must elevate its self, so the digital age becomes a new pinnacle for it. It depends on its writers, readers, and guardians which direction they take it—toward a great future or a lost heritage. My prayer is that Urdu remains eternal and keeps progressing, and with that, Assalam Alaikum!
Image: The bright future of Urdu literature
Links
Here are all the links related to the personalities, websites, and platforms mentioned in this blog. You can use them to gather more information:
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