Urdu

Urdu Program at the University of Virginia 

Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language, linguistically very close to Hindi, which is why we teach them together at the University of Virginia.

Spoken by over 225 million people worldwide, Urdu is a beautiful, expressive, and culturally rich language with a strong literary tradition. It's the national language of Pakistan and an official language in India. Urdu beautifully blends Hindi, Persian, Arabic, and Turkish influences, and is written in the elegant Nastaleeq script.

While Urdu is now spoken by a large global diaspora, its origins lie in medieval South Asia. It served as a bridge between diverse communities in the courts of the Mughal Empire and Delhi Sultanate. Over time, Urdu evolved into a sophisticated language for poetry, prose, and general communication.

Urdu's literary heritage is one of its greatest strengths, featuring renowned poets like Mirza Ghalib, Allama Iqbal, and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, who have left a lasting impact. The ghazal and nazm poetic forms captivate audiences with their depth and elegance. Urdu also plays a significant role in Bollywood, where its lyrical quality enhances music and cinema.

At UVA, we are committed to preserving Urdu and ensuring this beautiful language is passed on to future generations. By promoting its learning and appreciation, we guarantee that this timeless language will continue to inspire