Javed Akhtar on Nationalism in Urdu Poetry at Jashn-e-Rekhta | Sunday Special

Javed Akhtar on Nationalism in Urdu Poetry | Sunday Special on Jashn-e-Rekhta
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In this Sunday Special at Jashn-e-Rekhta, Javed Akhtar im conversation with Anisur Rahman, speaks on how ideas of nation, belonging, and identity have been shaped in Urdu poetry over time. He traces how poets responded to their political moment, how the language of patriotism evolved, and how nationalism in verse can carry both pride and critique. The conversation moves between literature and history, looking at what poets chose to celebrate, what they resisted, and how poetry became a way to think publicly without losing emotional depth. A session that places Urdu poetry within the larger story of the subcontinent’s social and political imagination.
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Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:13 Nationalism vs Patriotism. Key differences
00:00:56 Why discuss nationalism in Urdu poetry at all
00:01:40 Amir Khusro story. 700 years of tradition
00:04:12 Nation, nationhood, nationalism. Definitions first
00:04:48 Patriotism as the root of “good nationalism”
00:09:31 Jan Nisar Akhtar’s “Hindustan Hamara”
00:10:42 Two styles. Direct slogans vs deep metaphors
00:13:39 Region over religion. Why language matters most
00:19:40 Political + cultural poems. Urdu’s unique voice
00:25:48 1936 Progressives. Urdu vs communal thinking
00:27:32 Script isn’t language. Urdu-Hindi shares grammar
00:32:19 Rekhta journey. Languages evolve, don’t die
00:36:59 Sardar Jafri on Awadh. Patriotism without slogans
00:39:14 Nazar Banarasi’s Ganga poem. Night to dawn
00:43:48 Urdu is Indian. Quran in Urdu. Two-Nation debate
00:47:43 Mir’s couplets. Poetry moods shift. Final line
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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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#jashnerekhta #javedakhtar #urdushayari #urdopoetry #nationalism #sundayspecial #rekhtafoundation #celebratingurdu #republicday
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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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