We are proud to present you with Tanqeed’s eighth issue–and its first truly Urdu edition.
As you may know, we have always been committed to building a bilingual magazine. While our first seven issues featured English articles that were translated for an Urdu-reading audience, this is the first time that we are bringing original Urdu work to English readers.
When we sat down to plan this edition earlier this year, we quickly reached a consensus on our topic, namely language and politics. We felt that it reflected our mission, and many of the questions and critiques that we carry with us. We brought these questions to our writers. We feel their answers are both intellectually stimulating, and a literary delight. We hope you agree.
In this issue, Zaheda Hina beautifully explores how women are written into Urdu literature. Kishwer Naheed asks why Urdu insults always sound so female. C. M. Naim explains the stark political differences between Urdu and English journalism.
Riaz Sohail reports on enforced disappearances and human rights violations in Balochistan. Muhammad Babar asks why Punjabi folk heroes seem to disappear from our national curriculum. Two articles explore the relationship between Urdu and political movements. Ajmal Kamal investigates how the history of Urdu mirrors the history of identity politics. And Shah Mohammed Marri evaluates the impact of officially sanctioning Urdu as a state language–on other national languages, especially Balochi, and on Urdu itself.
As always, we feature an artist. This time, Murad Khan Mumtaz speaks to us about remembrance. His miniature styles are a reflection, and a critique, of our mechanized world.
We will be releasing our articles over the course of the next few weeks, starting with the original Urdu pieces.
However, we know that the scars from the Peshawar tragedy will not be healed any time soon. That is why this issue starts off with a statement on this horrific massacre, and its aftermath.
TQ Editors
December, 2014
