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"A beautiful language”
Orthodontist Dr Navroze Kotwal, "The only Parsi who writes Urdu shayari (poems),” had his book of Urdu poetry, Saughaat-e-Tanhaai (Gifts of Loneliness), released on June 4, 2022 at the Hindustani Prachar Sabha by Urdu literary figure Shamim Tariq. The Hindustani Prachar Sabha was established by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 to promote both the Hindi and Urdu languages, in which endeavor he was assisted by sisters Perin and Goshi Captain, granddaughters of Dadabhai Naoroji. Sanjiv Nigam, director of the Sabha presided while Dr Ahrar Azmi, head of the Urdu section compered the evening’s program. Others who spoke on the occasion were well-known Urdu poets Obaid Azam Azmi and Hamid Iqbal Siddiqui as well as Abdussami Bubere, editor of Subh-e-Ummid and Ishtiaque Sayyad, editor of Adab Gaon.
In Saughaat-e-Tanhaai Kotwal has presented his shayaris in the Devnagari, Urdu and Roman scripts, so that those who read all three languages may enjoy them. The fonts are distinct and the type size easy on the eye, though the book could have done with more thorough proof reading.
Kotwal, who has been writing Urdu poetry since his college days had told Parsiana that he likes to convey his sentiments in Urdu, "a beautiful language… especially Urdu poetry, (which) is like music to the ears” (see "Love of the lyrical language,” May 21, 2009). "His father Shavak being one of the partners of Evergreen Pictures, Kotwal recalls his continuous exposure to shootings of Hindi films and recordings of songs since the age of eight years… It was Sahir Ludhianvi who wrote lyrics for films like Pyasa who inspired Kotwal to try his hand at Urdu compositions. Although no one in his family spoke Urdu, under the influence of contemporary Urdu poets like Iftiquar Imam, Shamim Abbas and especially Shafiq Abbas, ‘the most important influence in inspiring me to write Urdu poetry,’ Kotwal tried to express his thoughts in Urdu.”

 

 

 

While still in school, Kotwal had a maulvi (teacher) come home to teach him the Urdu script and would later visit bookshops on Mohammed Ali Road to buy books on Urdu shayari, notes the introductory section. Later, Kotwal acquired an ustad (expert), Shafiq Abbas, retired principal of Anjuman Islam Urdu School, who taught him the nuances and finer aspects of Urdu shayari. Kotwal’s ghazals and nazms have been published in well-known Urdu magazines and newspapers.
Saughaat-e-Tanhaai, which Kotwal has dedicated to his late parents Meher and Shavak, and to his children Nairika and Kaizaad, comprises 232 pages and is priced reasonably at Rs 250. The hardback edition has been published by News Town Publishers, B-01, Mira Paradise CHS, Geeta Nagar, Phase-2, Balaji Chowk, Mira Road, 401017, email: ishtiyaquesaeed@rediffmail.com.                 

SHERENE VAKIL