Its all in the Shayari

Being a Hyderabadi, one for sure encounters many instances, where the Dakhni dialect is not just used for a normal conversation. It has been a tradition among the Hyderabadis, to use the Dakhni dialect in the shayari form, known as the Dakhni Shayari. Branded Hyderabadi words like ‘Nakko’, ‘Kaiku’, form the base of this shayari. Apart from sharing a laugh, many great scholars of Urdu, have used this form to touch upon issues affecting the society and try and bring about a change in the thought-process of people.But, the past few decades have brought in a drastic change in the writing style and presentation of Dakhini Shayari.The present day Dakhini shayari revolves only around a funny, humorous but offensive way of presenting the loopholes of household matters in a shayari form. For example, the very popular “Nai bole toh sunti nai” (She won’t listen, till I tell her) series.Intentionally used to refer to their wives, the shayars (reciters) give into the shayari to describe their marital livelihood and woes.Lately, the scholars in the city have been discouraging this form of shayari as the shayari has taken a different avatar altogether, and the youngsters these days laugh at it, or are unaware of its existence, or are very disrespectful about it.“Dakhini sounds like some yummy dish or dessert, I never heard about it. Is it tasty?” says Satish Kumar, a student. Don’t be too surprised at the response.According to Dr.Naseemudin Farees, head and associate professor, Department of Urdu, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, “Dakhini Shayari is an interesting form of shayari. As an individual I believe that it is an integral part of our Hyderabadi culture, literature and heritage. Famous shayars like Mohd.Quli Qutub Shah IV conveyed their messages through Dakhini shayari.”He then adds, “They wrote about the social issues, rituals and customs. So that the housewives back then, who were only confined to home, get to read these shayaris and sing while doing their daily house chores. But, today this has turned out to be a mere pathetic humour art form, which is entertaining but offensive too. We do not encourage this anymore.”Agreeing with him was Mohammad Ali Asar, an Urdu professor from Osmania University. He opines, “Dakhini was once upon a time a respectful and meaningful art form, but with the changes made by the modern shayars, it has become a matter of pointing out the mistakes and making fun of wives and in-laws. This form of shayari has lost its essence.”Explaining his view, Deepak Jain, a BBM student, says “I think Dakhini shayari recited today is only about entertainment. Considering the development rate, there is a high possibility of Dakhini Shayari becoming extinct.”However, the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has a new plan. They are planning on introducing Dakhni as a full-fledged course. Explaining more on this, Dr Hakeem Raees Fatima, faculty member, Department of Urdu, UoH says, “We are introducing teaching and learning of Dakhini language as an academic course now. This is going to be a useful step in bringing back the actual essence of the existence of the language again.”