Urdu taught me ‘saliqa’ of living: Prof Arinder

“Farmaiye,” says 60-year-old Professor Arinder Singh as he begins the conversation and one immediately knows that a wealth of beautiful Urdu words is about to fill the air. His love for the language is evident—he has written over seven books, hundreds of articles in Urdu and is currently working on a new project: a book on the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

With the pen name Arinder Aziz, Singh’s devotion to Urdu is both personal and profound. “Urdu dwells inside me. I am living because of this language,” he says, explaining the depth of his connection with it.

Singh’s journey with Urdu began in his childhood, sparked by a deep love for music. “Bachpan mein main mausiki se ragbat ho gaya tha (I developed a keen interest in music in my childhood). I started listening to ghazals, which pulled me towards learning Urdu,” he recalls. However, it wasn’t always easy for him to convince his peers and teachers of his sincere interest in the language. As a young student, he would often ask his teachers for the meaning of various words, but they dismissed his curiosity, urging him instead to focus on academics and scoring good marks. He laughs, recalling that he was never a “hardcore disciplinarian,” which made his passion for Urdu seem out of place at the time.

Despite the initial resistance, Singh’s dedication to learn Urdu did not waver. “But slowly, I started learning Urdu from my Guru Sukhdev Singh ji. I was in class 10th when I wrote my first afsana (anecdote) in Urdu and then there was no looking back,” he says with pride.

Over the years, Singh has authored over 300 articles for various newspapers and has written several acclaimed books, including Kehkasha ke Rang (Colors of the Galaxy), Sheher Sunsan Hai, Nange Paon Wale and Pyase Dariya Ki Pyas. He holds degrees in English literature, followed by triple MA’s in English, Punjabi and Urdu, and an M.Phil in Punjabi. Singh’s career as an educator spanned several institutions, including GNDU Regional Campus, Lyallpur Khalsa College (where he served as the head of the Persian Department), and over 15 years in the Language Department of the Government of Punjab, where he taught Urdu.

“I always have a kalam in my hand. Urdu is my passion. Isne mujhe jeene ka saliqa sikhaya hai (Urdu has taught me a tact and art to live),” says Singh, his eyes lighting up with emotion.

His most recent work, a 550-page bilingual book titled Ghazal Sarai Ka Sar-Chashma – Ghulam Ali Khan, was released on December 28, 2024, during the Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan. The book explores the life and legacy of the ghazal maestro, Ghulam Ali Khan, marking another milestone in Singh’s literary journey.

Singh’s family shares his love for the language. His son, a lawyer, and his daughter have both inherited their father’s passion for Urdu. “Urdu ko jeena acha lagta hai mujhe (I love living with Urdu),” he sums up his lifelong devotion to the language.