By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Allahabad: Physician by profession though, he is making literary efforts to strengthen communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims. First result of his efforts is Ram Charit Manas in Urdu.
City-based physician Zamir Ahsan has translated Tulsidas’ book, hoping that this may bring the communities closer. It took him 14 years to translate the book. He has now begun translating Udhao Shatak into Urdu. Hindi poet Jagannath Das Ratnakar penned Udhao Shatak in Brajbhasha over 200 years ago. Recently conferred with state-level Sauhard Samman, Dr Ahsan feels literature is the best way to foster amity between Hindus and Muslims.
“Normally, we resist languages we don’t know. For instance, those who don’t know English, oppose it and those who don’t know Urdu, feel this is not their language,” says Ahsan. “The beautiful portrayal of Krishna in Udhao Shatak by poet Jagannath Das Prasad inspired me to translate it into Urdu, so that Muslims are introduced to the unique writing style and philosophy of Hindi poets,” he added. His own Urdu work Dariya Say Dariya Tak will be published by the Ramayan Trust and is expected to be released in April.
Ahsan said he started learning Sanskrit after he was released from jail (after Emergency) to understand the character of Ram as portrayed by Tulsidas. “I realized Ram was the symbol of love and humility and felt the need to introduce his character to Urdu people as well,” he said. But Ahsan had to face bitter opposition from both Hindus and Muslims for his work. “This continued for 5-6 years. When people understood the objective of my work, they accepted it and even nominated me for prestigious awards,” he said.