Urdu poetry is one of the richest and most diverse forms of poetry in the world. It has a long and glorious history, with roots dating back to the 13th century. Over the centuries, it has evolved and developed into various forms, including Ghazal, Nazm, Marsiya, and Qawwali.
However, in recent times, there has been a decline in the quality of Urdu poetry. In this essay, we will explore the reasons for this decline and the possible solutions to this problem.
Commercialization - One of the primary reasons for the decline in the quality of Urdu poetry is the commercialization of poetry. In today's world, poets are more concerned with making money than producing quality work. They write for the masses, and as a result, their poetry lacks depth and originality. The focus is on producing work that will sell rather than work that is meaningful and thought-provoking.
Lack of patronage - Another reason for the decline in the quality of Urdu poetry is the lack of patronage. In the past, poets were supported by wealthy patrons who provided them with financial assistance, food, and shelter. This allowed the poets to focus on their art and produce high-quality work. However, in today's world, there are very few patrons of the arts, and as a result, poets are forced to find other sources of income. This often means that they have to compromise on the quality of their work to make ends meet.
Criticism - The decline in the quality of Urdu poetry can also be attributed to the lack of literary criticism. In the past, literary critics played an essential role in evaluating and analyzing poetry. They provided feedback to the poets and helped them improve their work. However, in today's world, there are very few literary critics, and as a result, poets are left to their own devices. They are not challenged or pushed to improve their work, which leads to a decline in the quality of their poetry.
Exposure - Furthermore, the decline in the quality of Urdu poetry can be attributed to the lack of exposure to different cultures and ideas. In the past, poets were exposed to different cultures and ideas, which allowed them to produce work that was unique and original. However, in today's world, poets are isolated and do not have access to different cultures and ideas. As a result, their work lacks diversity and depth. To reverse the decline in the quality of Urdu poetry, there are several steps that can be taken. First, there needs to be a greater emphasis on literary education. This means that young poets should be encouraged to study literature, attend poetry workshops, and learn from experienced poets.
