Many Indian languages, despite their rich literary heritage and millions of speakers, are often labelled as dialects or regional languages. For instance, Awadhi and Braj Bhasha, used by renowned poets like Tulsidas and Surdas, are considered dialects of Hindi. Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu (Hind) launches Adab Sarai, a fresh platform celebrating linguistic diversity and fostering creative expression across Indian languages.This classification, rooted in colonial legacy, undermines the importance of these languages.
The Impact of Language Classification
Paul Brass, in a 2004 paper, highlighted how the 1991 census listed 48 “languages and mother tongues” under Hindi. Some of these, like Bhojpuri with over 23 million speakers, have more users than several scheduled languages. This categorisation has led to the marginalisation of many languages, affecting their growth and recognition.
Anjuman’s Initiative: Adab Sarai
To address this issue, Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu (Hind) has launched Adab Sarai, a writers’ forum for creative expression. This initiative aims to provide a platform for all Indian languages, including Indian English. Ather Farouqui, General Secretary of Anjuman, explains that Adab Sarai will host quarterly events where writers can share their work in various forms – stories, poems, plays, or enactments.
The forum’s goal is to encourage and preserve India’s linguistic diversity. It welcomes all languages without imposing any hierarchy. This approach contrasts with the current trend where Hindi and English often dominate literary spaces.
Adab Sarai’s first event, held at Urdu Ghar in New Delhi, showcased this inclusivity. The welcome address was in Assamese, followed by proceedings in Urdu and English. Writers like Suhel Seth, Salman Khurshid, and Jerry Pinto participated, presenting works in various languages.
This initiative is crucial for languages pushed to the margins. It aims to counter the commodification of creativity in the age of social media and provide a free platform for emerging writers. By celebrating India’s rich linguistic tapestry, Adab Sarai hopes to foster a more inclusive literary landscape.
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