Hyderabad is known as a city of Urdu lovers. But the organisers noted a stark decline in people’s interest in reading Urdu books.
Team Clarion
HYDERABAD — The absence of Urdu book stalls, for the fifth consecutive year, at the annual Hyderabad Book Fair has raised concerns over a larger trend of diminishing interest in the language.
Thousands of visitors thronged the fair venue at the NTR Stadium here during the duration of the 11-day cultural extravaganza that culminated on Monday.
At the fair, publishers across the country showcased a rich variety of books in various languages. However, the disheartening absence of Urdu stalls has left a void, raising questions about the dwindling interest in the language.
Five years ago, a prominent local businessman had set up a stall for the last time, facing hardships that deterred him from participating again. Mohammad Shakeel, in charge of Huda Book Depu, acknowledged suffering losses for 4 to 5 years but continued to set up his stall. He lamented the declining business of Urdu books, attributing it to the unfamiliarity and disinterest of the younger generation in Urdu literature.
Hyderabad is known as a city of Urdu lovers. But the organisers noted a stark decline in people’s interest in reading Urdu books. Mehtab Alam, editor of The Wire Urdu, highlighted the contradiction in Hyderabad being among the top cities in readership on the Skitnal platform while the new generation exhibits a lack of interest in Urdu literature.
The organisers stressed the need to identify the reasons behind the diminishing interest in Urdu among the younger population. With 5 to 7 lakh people visiting the book fair annually, the absence of Urdu books raises concerns about the language’s position not only in urban centers but also in rural areas.
The cultural programs during the fair focused predominantly on promoting the Telugu language, with a notable absence of Urdu events. When questioned, organisers mentioned a lack of demand from Urdu readers and insufficient cooperation from organisations. They expressed readiness to include Urdu cultural programs if requested by respected institutions.
Surprisingly, despite the presence of several Urdu organisations in Hyderabad, none have utilised the Kitab Mela platform to promote the language. This indifference towards Urdu’s development raises questions about the future of the language.
The situation is particularly disheartening for children, as the absence of Urdu children’s books, stories, and literature at the fair indicates a growing gap in the younger generation’s exposure to their linguistic and cultural heritage.
As concerns grow over the future of Urdu, there is a call for the Urdu-speaking community to take responsibility and actively campaign for the protection and promotion of the language. Failure to address this issue could lead to a further decline in the language’s presence not just in urban book fairs but also in rural areas, impacting the cultural fabric of the region.
