Promotion of Persian & Urdu is interlinked

Hyderabad: Persian and Urdu languages are interlinked with each other. Flourishing of one language will lead to strengthening of another. Noted Persian scholar, Prof Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, former Speaker of Iranian Parliament, expressed these views here on Tuesday, while addressing the inaugural session of 3-day international conference “Contribution of Deccan (India) to the Persian language and literature” being organised at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in connection with the 36th All Indian Persian Teachers Association’s (AIPTA) Conference.

Dr. Mohammad Aslam Parvaiz, the Vice-Chancellor, presided over the inaugural. Prof Haddad Adel also paid rich tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of India and a noted Persian scholar. Prof Adel praised the time-tested Indo-Iranian friendship. "India, especially Hyderabad gives me a homely feeling," he remarked. He also spoke about the contribution and impact of Persian language in Medieval India and its role in propagation of Islam.

Dr Mohammad Aslam Parvaiz, in his presidential address, referred to and praised the usage of Persian language in Iran to promote knowledge. "We need to adopt same approach towards Urdu," he said. He also advised the teachers to work hard to make Urdu the language of knowledge.
Prof Azarmi Dukht Safavi, President of the Association, in her keynote described the Deccan Plateau as a constant melting pot of different cultures and languages.

This has been the hall-mark of India, she noted. Quoting various historians, she said that Persian impact on Indian languages was a fact even today, which cannot be denied. Unison of Sufi and Bhakti schools of thoughts gave way to the syncretic society in Deccan. The patronage provided to Persian and Urdu Languages by the Nizam of Hyderabad is unforgettable. Influence of Persian and its penetration in Deccani Culture began even before the arrival of Khilji in 13th century. Languages which came into existence after the establishment of Muslim Rule were affected by Persian.

Iran’s impact on Deccan is also noticed in the realm of the visual art, importation of Persian architecture and its intermingling with Indian Style. Prof. Safvi also spoke about the contribution of modern scholars from Hyderabad to promote Persian Language and Literature.Padmabhushan Moosa Raza, IAS (Rtd.), Chairman, South Indian Educational Trust and Forum for Democracy, Chennai, who a guest of honour, spoke about the Persian Manuscripts of poetry preserved in the Chennai libraries. Persian vocabulary in Indian languages was in use even today, he claimed by recounting his personal experiences.

Pro. K Muzaffar Ali Shahmiri, Vice Chancellor, Abdul Haq Urdu University, Kurnool, invited the research scholars to the treasure house of Persian literature available in Rayalaseema region. This area is still unexplored, he remarked. Lakshmi Devi Raj, Prof Mahroo Haddad Adel and Mr. Ehsan Ullah Shukar Ilahi also addressed the inaugural.

Two books were released on the occasion. Prof Iraq Raza Zaidi, General Secretary of AIPTA, conducted the proceedings. Prof Shahid Naukhez Azmi, Local Secretary, Conference & Head, Dept. of Persian, proposed vote of thanks. More than hundred Persian teachers and scholars including delegates from Iran and Afghanistan are attending the three day conference.