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Kehte HaiN Is Ko Urdu traces the remarkable journey of the Urdu language through seven centuries of classical and contemporary poetry. This carefully curated anthology showcases the poetic works that shaped Urdu across the Indian subcontinent, offering readers a selection of verses whose beauty endures across generations.
Much like a travelogue, the book guides readers through the evolution of Urdu, a language enriched by Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Hindi, and local dialects. Its verses reflect this diverse heritage, while also revealing how languages naturally change over time.
What sets this collection apart is its thoughtful design: vocabulary explanations appear in the margins beside each selected verse, making even the most intricate poetry accessible and enjoyable. This feature empowers readers to engage deeply with the literary art form, fostering both appreciation and personal interpretation of Urdu’s rich poetic tradition.
About the editor:
Tasnim Firdaus received her BA from the University of Punjab and her MA from University Oriental College, Lahore, where she studied under the late Professor Aftab Asghar and Dr Akram Shah. She taught Persian and Urdu literature at several colleges in Faisalabad and Lahore before moving to London in the 1980s. A teaching career spanning over 35 years, Tasnim has taught Urdu and Persian at a number of institutions and has served as Chief Examiner and Subject Specialist of Urdu at Edexcel Board of Examinations. She has also authored ‘Step by Step Urdu’, an Urdu language learning textbook comprising 101 lessons on Urdu language and grammar. An enthusiast of Urdu and Persian literature, Tasnim writes poetry in her free time. Presently, she serves as Director of Language & Literature Programmes at The Mehfil and Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society in London.
Kehte HaiN Is Ko Urdu traces the remarkable journey of the Urdu language through seven centuries of classical and contemporary poetry. This carefully curated anthology showcases the poetic works that shaped Urdu across the Indian subcontinent, offering readers a selection of verses whose beauty endures across generations.
Much like a travelogue, the book guides readers through the evolution of Urdu, a language enriched by Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Hindi, and local dialects. Its verses reflect this diverse heritage, while also revealing how languages naturally change over time.
What sets this collection apart is its thoughtful design: vocabulary explanations appear in the margins beside each selected verse, making even the most intricate poetry accessible and enjoyable. This feature empowers readers to engage deeply with the literary art form, fostering both appreciation and personal interpretation of Urdu’s rich poetic tradition.
About the editor:
Tasnim Firdaus received her BA from the University of Punjab and her MA from University Oriental College, Lahore, where she studied under the late Professor Aftab Asghar and Dr Akram Shah. She taught Persian and Urdu literature at several colleges in Faisalabad and Lahore before moving to London in the 1980s. A teaching career spanning over 35 years, Tasnim has taught Urdu and Persian at a number of institutions and has served as Chief Examiner and Subject Specialist of Urdu at Edexcel Board of Examinations. She has also authored ‘Step by Step Urdu’, an Urdu language learning textbook comprising 101 lessons on Urdu language and grammar. An enthusiast of Urdu and Persian literature, Tasnim writes poetry in her free time. Presently, she serves as Director of Language & Literature Programmes at The Mehfil and Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society in London.