Citation : Singh AR (2023) Urdu, Persian, Envy And Ghalib’s Writings.In :Ghalib, Psychology and Human Behaviour - 1 (A.R Singh and S.A Singh Eds), Mens Sana Monogr; 21:1.pg 56-57
جو یہ کہے کہ ریختہ کیونکے ہو رشک فارسی
گفتۂ غالبؔ ایک بار پڑھ کے اسے سنا کہ یوں
जो ये कहे कि रेख़्ता क्यूँके हो रश्क-ए-फ़ारसी
गुफ़्ता-ए-‘ग़ालिब’ एक बार पढ़ के उसे सुना कि यूँ
jo ye kahe ki reKHta kyuu.nke ho rashk-e-faarsii
gufta-e-‘Ghaalib’ ek baar pa.Dh ke use sunaa ki yuu.n
(DG 117:10:725)
Meaning
If someone says, ‘Why should Persian envy Urdu?’
Just recite what Ghalib hassaid/writtenand say, That’s why!’
Explanation/Comment:
Urdu is somewhat like English. A product of many languages. Persian, Arabic and Hindi being the main influences.
Commonly, highly Persianised Urdu is is prized in literary circles. Ghalib’s ghazals are themselves a brilliant example of this.
But, if someone were to ask, ‘Persian is a great language. And Urdu is indebted to it. Why should Persian envy Urdu?”
To such a questioner, just give one reply, ‘Just read what Ghalib has written, and there’s your answer!’
Urdu stands by itself, even as it has been nourished by various language streams. And Ghalib’s writings are, without doubt, it’s crowning glory! Ghalib’s self-praise is a realistic appraisal.