Javed Akhtar & Dr. Arfa Zehra on Urdu Culture and Mother Tongue | Sunday Special

Javed Akhtar & Dr. Arfa Zehra on Urdu Culture and Mother Tongue | Sunday Special
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Javed Akhtar and Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra discuss the real meaning of Urdu identity and culture at Jashn-e-Rekhta Dubai. This conversation covers how language shapes our modern society. Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra explains that Urdu is a shared culture built from Persian, Hindi, Sanskrit, and Arabic roots. Javed Akhtar shares his thoughts on how technology and money change the way we speak today. They explore why younger generations often ignore their mother tongues while English takes over. They also talk about why poetry and storytelling still matter in South Asia today. Urdu continues to bring people together across borders.
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Chapters:
00:00:00 Urdu’s Fragrance. A Tribute To Language And Memory
00:01:14 Dubai Session Welcome. Introducing The Panel
00:02:27 Adeel Hashmi Joins. Setting The Tone
00:04:12 Why Urdu Is Tehzeeb. Not Just A Language
00:05:01 Urdu’s “Pearls”. A Blend Of Many Languages
00:08:25 Words And Meaning. The “Sazish” Question
00:09:05 Speed Culture. Why Language Feels Thinner Today
00:13:25 What We Lost. Folklore, Myths, Songs, Stories
00:14:09 English Vs Vernacular. Class Divide And Identity
00:17:43 Why Youth Should Learn Urdu. The Real Value
00:19:16 Values Sold For Numbers. Respect For Knowledge
00:20:14 English As Empire. Power, Status, And Language
00:22:09 Bad Translations. Who Gets To Name New Things
00:24:00 What We Taught Kids. Profit Over Culture
00:24:51 Tehzeeb Is Behavior. Not A Perfume Bottle
00:25:45 Literature’s Revolt. Knowing Vs Not Knowing
00:27:35 Why Languages Survive. Economic Advantage Truth
00:30:06 “World Was Better Before”. A Romantic Illusion
00:32:55 Urdu’s Revival. Festivals, Platforms, New Audiences
00:34:05 Youth Identity. Ghalib And The Power Of “Aarzu”
00:38:18 Tehzeeb Is A Seed. Not Instant Delivery
00:40:02 Language Is Not A Weapon. It Should Unite
00:41:00 Don’t Be Stingy With Words. Widen The Heart
00:41:59 How To Learn Urdu. Read, Listen, Internalize
00:44:06 Language Isn’t Religion. It’s Region And Culture
00:48:05 The Hindustani Idea. One Syntax, Shared Speech
00:49:56 Politics Uses Language. A Dangerous Shortcut
00:50:50 From Hate To Love. Closing Note From The Stage
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About Jashn-e-Rekhta
Jashn-e-Rekhta is the world’s largest cultural festival celebrating the beauty, depth, and living spirit of the Urdu language. Held annually, it brings together poets, musicians, writers, thinkers, and artists from across the world to create a space of poetry, music, conversations, and storytelling. From soul-stirring mushairas and spellbinding musical evenings to intimate dialogues and immersive cultural experiences, the festival is where language turns into emotion and heritage finds a contemporary voice. More than a festival, Jashn-e-Rekhta is a movement that keeps Urdu alive, relevant, and deeply connected across generations.
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#javedakhtar #arfazehra #jashnerekhtadubai #urdu #urdulanguage #indianculture #urduliterature #urduadab #heritage #southasia
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About Rekhta Foundation:
Rekhta Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation committed to preserving, promoting, and celebrating the Urdu language and its rich literary and cultural legacy. Through digital archives, learning platforms, publications, festivals, and community initiatives, the Foundation works to make Urdu accessible and meaningful for audiences worldwide. By bridging classical traditions with modern platforms and voices, Rekhta Foundation ensures that the language continues to inspire, connect, and evolve with time.
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IMPORTANT COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© Rekhta Foundation. All rights reserved. Unauthorised downloading, clipping, re-uploading, or reuse of this content (audio/video/visuals) is strictly prohibited without written permission.
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