Pakistan

Launch ceremony: New book explores Urdu’s influence on Japanese language

Book explores how Urdu flourished in Japan before partition of India and how it earned its popularity after wards.

News Desk December 16, 2012

A book exploring how Urdu flourished in Japan before the partition of India and how it earned its popularity after wards was launched in Rawalpindi on Saturday, said a press release issued by the Rawalpindi Arts Council.

The book, “Surkh Pholon ki Sabz Khushbo”, has been compiled by Khurram Sohail and is a journey of creativity between two individuals of two countries. The book explores how Japanese characters transformed themselves into Urdu and how Urdu made its way into the Japanese language through short stories and popular readings.

Japanese ambassador Hirsohi Oe was the chief guest at the launching ceremony.

During his address on the occasion, Ambassador Oe said the book launch represents Japan’s efforts to continue promoting bilateral relations in various fields at different levels. He said that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan. In our efforts to enhance ties between the two nations, the Japanese embassy has been holding various cultural events throughout the year, he added.

Japanese embassy counselor Toshikazu Isomura said that there can be no gift more precious than a book on an occasion such as the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2012.

COMMENTS (2)

Hamza | 11 years ago | Reply

@hasan: My friend . You are yourself a victim of Indian propaganda machinery. If you are really a muslim from sub continent then I'm sorry for you. Just now I have finished reading a book

Jab Amritsar jal raha tha it's an eye witness account of the genocide of muslims during partition. I'm myself a muslim who was born and raised in north india and we face the discrimination everyday in every sphere of life. Millions of illiterate or just metric pass hindus have been given government jobs but it's impossible to find a job even for the muslims who have top level qualifications. Whenever we think about Babri Masjid demolition and hindu muslim riots we feel content that our leaders made the right choice when they demanded Pakistan. This is the hindu (Indian) propaganda machinery which wants that we have inferiority complex and then they can control us. If there are more people like you then very soon we will find ourselves speaking SANSKRIT. Please read a little bit of history and try to be informed about the events which lead to partition before commenting. People with a losers mentality are like a cancer for every community irrespective of race, color or religion.

hasan | 11 years ago | Reply

everything positive flourished before partition, because we were part of India ! Everything failed, broke, disintegrated since partition for us. For India, they are galloping ahead in double speed. The reason is very clear.

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