Regional Languages of Pakistan
Introduction
Pakistan is a multi-lingual country.
No less than 24 languages and dialects are spoken by the people of Pakistan.
There are five regional languages. Punjabi, Sindhi, Pushto, Baluchi, Brahvi and
Kashmiri. These languages are rich in literature, poetry, folk songs, spiritual
quotes of their respective saints and contribute greatly to the culture of
Pakistan.
The regional languages, though
distinct from each other in their forms, dialects and expressions of thoughts,
have several common factors in them. They cultivate in them love, respect and a
firm adherence to the Pakistan Ideology.
Punjabi
Punjabi is the language of the
province ‘Punjab’. It links back to the Aryan language Prakrit. However, with
time, the vocabulary of Punjabi language became a mixture of Persian, Arabic
and Turkish words. It has different dialects in different parts of Punjab like
‘Saraiki’ and ‘Potohari’. But the basic language remains the same.
Panjabi is rich in mystical and romantic poetry. The highly imaginative and artistic exquisite literature, mostly in verses has two forms. One is “Lyric Poetry,” which includes Bait, Kafi-si-harfi, Bara Mah and Satwara. The other one is “Narrative Poetry,” which is composed of various rhythms and meters. Examples are Qissa Noor Namah, Gulzar, Jang Nama and Vaar.
Panjabi is rich in mystical and romantic poetry. The highly imaginative and artistic exquisite literature, mostly in verses has two forms. One is “Lyric Poetry,” which includes Bait, Kafi-si-harfi, Bara Mah and Satwara. The other one is “Narrative Poetry,” which is composed of various rhythms and meters. Examples are Qissa Noor Namah, Gulzar, Jang Nama and Vaar.
Famous Punjabi Poets
Some of the famous poets of Punjabi
language include:
Baba Farid Shakar Ganj Baksh
Shaikh Ibrahim Farid Sani
Madhu Lal Hussain
Sultan Bahu
Bhullay Shah
Ali Haider
Waris Shah
Sindhi
Sindhi is one of the important
regional language of Pakistan. It appears that Sindhi was spoken in the Indus
Delta from time immemorial. It is said that the language of the people of
Moen-jo-Daro contained elements of present era Sindhi language.
The origin of this language is not
exactly known. However, travelers like Al-Beruni have told us about the
original script of the language. Chach Nama is an authentic document that
proves that the dialect of Sindhi language was the same in the 12th century, as
it is today. With the advent and influence of Arabs in the subcontinent, Sindhi
changed its forms and adopted maximum words of Arabic as well as Persian and
Turkish.
Famous Sindhi
Poets
Some of famous Sindhi poets are
following:
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai
Sachal Sarmast
Makhdoom Noor
Shah Inayat
Bedil
Sabit Ali Shah
Kazi Kazah
Steps taken
to grow Sindhi
Various steps have been taken to
develop Sindhi. Organizations like ‘Sindhi Literary Board’ and
Bazm-e-Talib-ul-Maula were set up. Several newspapers are being published in
Sindhi. These include Kawish, Ibrat, Naw-e-Sindhi and Khadim-e-Watan besides a
number of weeklies.
Baluchi
Baluchi is the regional language of
Baluchistan. It is the least developed of all the regional languages. It was
spread by Baluchi tribes that migrated from Iran.
The history of Baluchi literature may be divided into four
periods:
Early Medieval Period – 1430 to 1600
Later Medieval Period – 1600 to 1850
Modern Period – 1850 to 1930
Contemporary Period – 1930 to date
Literature produced by earlier poets
is not in records, as it was preserved traditionally in the memories of the
people. No newspapers or books were published in Baluchi up till 1940. After
partition, however Baluchi literature received a little boost. It was due to the
efforts made by various organizations and due to establishment of TV stations.
At present, Baluchi literature is on the road to development.
Types of
Baluchi
There are two types of Baluchi
namely:
Sulemani
Makrani
Makrani
Famous Poets
of Baluchi
Some of the most literary figures of
Baluchi are:
Azad Jamaldini
Ulfat Naseem
Abdul Qadir Shahwani
Malik Mohammad Ramzan
Mir Aqil Maingal
Well known poets of Baluchi language
are:
Jam Darag
Shah Mureed
Shahdab
Pushto
Pushto is the regional language of
the N.W.F.P. and tribal areas. It belongs to the East Iranian group of
languages and contains many Persian, Arabic, Greek and Pehlevi words.
Steps taken
to enhance Pushto
Although Pushto is an old language
but its literature is comparatively a new one. After independence education
spread rapidly and Pushto literature received a great boost. The Pushto Academy
Peshawar, some other literary societies and educational institutions such as
Islamia College Peshawar helped develop Pushto literature.
Famous Pushto
Poets
Some of the well known poets of
Pushto language are:
Amir Karoro
Khushal Khan Khatak
Rehman Baba
Sher Shah Soori
Saif Ullah
Kazim Kazim
Brahvi
Brahvi is the next spoken language of
Baluchistan. In fact, it is said to be spoken by a greater number of people than
Baluchi. The Brahvi language is said to be one of Dravidian family of
languages. It has borrowed heavily from Sindhi, Persian, Arabic and English. It
remains in an unexplained isolation among the Indo-Iran dialects.
Brahvi literature has a vast treasure of folklores. It’s script has been borrowed much from Pushto script. Malik Dad was a great poet and a learned personalty of Brahvi language.
Brahvi literature has a vast treasure of folklores. It’s script has been borrowed much from Pushto script. Malik Dad was a great poet and a learned personalty of Brahvi language.
Kashmiri
Kashmiri is the language of the
people of the Indian-occupied Kashmir and Azad Kashmir. This language has been
derived from Sanskrit. Kashmiri is generally spoken in Muslim families of the
valley. It contains many Turkish, Arabic and Persian words. It is written in
the Persian script.
Kashmiri, like all the regional
languages of Pakistan, had its early literature in the form of poetry. It began
with the composition of folk songs and ballads.
Kashmiri
Literary Figures
Famous authors of Kashmiri language
are:
Sh.Nooruddin
Khatoon Lillah Anifa
Baba Nasiruddin
Ghani
Conclusion
The regional languages of Pakistan,
i.e., Punjabi, Sindhi, Pushto, Brahvi and Baluchi are the most modern Pakistani
languages. They have several common features and their literature bears the
same eternal message for mankind. Government has been doing its best to develop
the regional languages and introduction of regional TV channels is a positive
step for promotion of regional languages.
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