by Dr Tauseef Ahmad Parray
Proceedings of an International Conference on Urdu Poetry, hosted by GDC Ganderbal, on July 9–10, 2025.
“Global scholars converge to explore evolving landscape of Urdu poetry”, “Urdu a language of poetic soul, social consciousness: Financial Commissioner”, “Shantmanu inaugurates international Urdu Conference at GDC Ganderbal”, and “GDC Ganderbal organises two days International Conference” were among the headlines published between July 10 and 12, 2025. These reports covered the two-day International Conference on Urdu Shaiyiri: Riwayat, Jiddat aur Asri Taqaazay (Urdu Poetry: Tradition, Innovation, and Contemporary Demands), hosted by the Department of Urdu, Government Degree College (GDC), Ganderbal. The event took place on July 9 and 10, 2025.
The call for papers was issued in mid-May, shortly after the proposal was finalised. The deadline for abstracts and paper submissions was set for June 20. The conference aimed to examine the classical heritage of Urdu poetry and its lasting influence, investigate new trends in contemporary Urdu verse, explore its engagement with social, political, and gender themes, assess the effects of globalisation and technology, and initiate conversation around translation and the global reception of Urdu poetry.
A Forum of Ideas
Scholars and faculty members responded in large numbers. The submissions came from a broad spectrum of disciplines, including Urdu, Islamic Studies, Persian, Iqbaliyyat, and other interdisciplinary fields, with participants drawn from institutions across India, from Kashmir to Karnataka. Eighty-two abstracts were accepted for presentation across three technical sessions—two held in person and one conducted online.
The atmosphere throughout was one of intellectual exchange and literary curiosity. Poets, academics, and researchers from India and abroad gathered in hybrid mode to engage in rigorous discussion and reflection on the evolving forms and functions of Urdu poetry.
Opening Reflections
The inaugural session was presided over by Shri Shantmanu (IAS), Financial Commissioner of the Higher Education Department, Jammu and Kashmir, who delivered the presidential address. Professor Nusrat Nabi, Assistant Professor of Urdu, moderated the session. In her opening remarks, she situated Urdu literary heritage within the cultural and collective consciousness of the region, noting its longstanding role as a reflective medium.
Dr Jamsheeda Akhter, Head of the Department of Urdu and Organising Secretary of the Conference, outlined the purpose and structure of the event. She stressed its thematic relevance and its role in fostering academic engagement and cultural dialogue in today’s literary discourse.
In her welcome address, Professor Fouzia Fatima, Principal of GDC Ganderbal, extended greetings to the participants. She underscored the conference’s significance in the present literary and cultural moment, affirming the institution’s commitment to cultivating platforms that support critical dialogue and meaningful scholarship.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Khawaja Mohammad Ikramuddin, Professor at the Centre of Indian Languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He presented a detailed survey of the evolution of Urdu poetry, mapping the continuity between classical traditions and modern innovations. His remarks examined how older poetic forms and newer social contexts shape and influence each other, responding to changing political and cultural conditions. His address was received with thoughtful appreciation by the audience.
To include an international dimension, two scholars joined the conference virtually. Professor Muhayyo Abdur Akhmonov of Tashkent State University, Uzbekistan, presented a global reading of Urdu poetry. She spoke about its literary reach beyond South Asia and its resonance across cultures. Dr Hager Kadry Mohammad Galaby from Al-Azhar University, Cairo, focused on Ahmed Rahi, analysing his contributions to Urdu poetry and how her verses found expression in Bollywood music before and after the Partition.
In his presidential remarks, Shri Shantmanu, Financial Commissioner, Higher Education Department, Jammu and Kashmir, addressed the importance of integrating cultural literacy within educational discourse. He described Urdu not only as a language but as a channel for poetic insight, emotional depth, and collective awareness. He praised the institution for hosting an event of international relevance and acknowledged the Urdu Department’s efforts in preserving the region’s linguistic and intellectual heritage.
On this occasion, the dignitaries also released the college’s biannual newsletter, Sindh, and the conference souvenir, which contained abstracts of the presented papers.
Technical Sessions and Thematic Explorations
Three technical sessions followed, each structured around a core theme. The sessions were titled “Urdu Shayiri aur Numayinda Shu’ara ke Afkar” (Urdu Poetry and the Philosophical Thought of Prominent Poets) and “Urdu Shayiri main Jadeed Rujhaanaat” (Contemporary Trends in Urdu Poetry), parts one and two. A total of eighty-two papers were presented across these sessions, each engaging with a broad set of themes connected to the central subject.
In the first session, papers examined topics such as Sufism in Ghalib’s poetry, Iqbal’s religious philosophy, Akbar Allahabadi’s use of humour and satire, the contribution of poets from Shehr-e-Khas in Srinagar, philosophical undercurrents in poetic form, changes in poetic language, emotional expression in poetry, and ecocritical perspectives in Urdu verse. Discussions also focused on the trajectory of New Urdu Poetry after the 1980s and the medium’s adaptation in the digital era.
The second session centred on feminist voices, political awareness, and social engagement in poetry. Presenters explored the use of Urdu in Bollywood songs, representations of nature, youth perspectives, and the relevance of Urdu poetry in the digital age.
The third session focused on individual poets such as Iqbal, Nasir Kazimi, Akbar Allahabadi, Hafeez Jalandhari, Hyder Ali Aatash, and Sardar Jafri. It also revisited recurring themes such as socio-political awareness, feminist expression, and spiritual dimensions in Urdu poetry.
Each session was chaired by a senior academic and observed by a younger scholar. Professor Ikramuddin (JNU), Dr Tayyab Ali Kharabadi (The New College, Chennai), and Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie (Coordinator Iqbal Institute) served as chairs, while Dr Mohd Iqbal Malik (Amar Singh College, Srinagar), Dr Liyaqat Ali (IGNOU, New Delhi), and Dr Quaseem Akhter (Marwari College, Bihar) acted as session observers. Each session concluded with a general discussion, followed by remarks and evaluations from the observer and chair. They offered detailed feedback and selected the best presenters based on content and presentation.
Concluding Reflections
The valedictory session brought together Professor Ikramuddin, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie, Dr Quaseem Akhter, Dr Liyaqat Ali, and Professor Fouzia Fatima, Principal and Co-Patron of the Conference. They were joined by Professor Mujeeb Ahmad Kawoosa, Vice Principal of GDC Ganderbal, and the organising secretary. Professor Ikramuddin delivered a concluding address that summarised key insights from the proceedings and expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the conference.
Professor Fouzia Fatima acknowledged the contributions of organisers and participants. Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie (Assistant Professor, Urdu, GDC Kokernag) and Dr Altaf Hussain Yatoo (Assistant Professor, Islamic Studies, GDC Sogam, Kupwara) offered their reflections on the thematic scope, academic quality, and planning of the event. Dr Jamsheeda Akhter moderated the session and presented the final conference report in her capacity as organising secretary.
Certificates and mementoes were distributed to participants and organisers. Dr Tauseef Ahmad Parray (Assistant Professor, Islamic Studies) and Dr Muzammil Ashraf Makhdoomi (Assistant Professor, Biochemistry), who served as assistant organising secretaries, were felicitated for their contributions to the event’s execution.
The conference, aimed at encouraging scholarly engagement and cross-border dialogue, concluded successfully. Its spirit was captured in the Urdu verses of Krishna Mohan:
Chāhatoñ kā jahān hai urdu, rāhatoñ kā nishān hai Urdu
Ishq kā e’tibār aur vaqār, husn kī ān-bān hai Urdu
‘Ghālib’-o-‘Mīr’ is ke shaidā the, jin kī rūh-e-ravān hai Urdu
‘Atish’ o ‘Momin’ o ‘Nazīr’ o ‘Jigar’, jin kī rañgīñ zabān hai Urdu
‘Faiz’ o ‘Iqbāl’ o Kirshn-Chandar se, vus.at-e-be-karān hai Urdu
(The writer is an Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies at GDC Ganderbal, author of multiple internationally acclaimed books and monographs and served as Assistant Organising Secretary for this conference. Ideas are personal.)
