Born in Surat to a middle class family, even as an adolescent, Sultan Nathani was fond of dramatics, art and literature. He was an intellectual thinker a rationalist and an ardent secularist.

Due to his hard work, integrity and foresight he rose to be a leading industrialist. Having retired since over a decade, he had engaged himself in heading various social and charitable organisations and Trusts

Sultan Nathani's main aim life was to popularise the Urdu language in Hindi Script which according to him would be a first step towards national integration.

Although Urdu had not been his mother- tongue, he found immense enjoyment in Urdu language and with a view to popularise Urdu among the non-Urdu speaking people, he initiated the project under the title series of URDU FOR PLEASURE FOR GHAZAL LOVERS, the preparation of Urdu-English dictionary, especially restricting to the words mainly used in Ghazals, Mushaairas and Hindi Film songs so as to enable common man to enjoy and understand the meaning of each and every word.

Though partially disabled in the last six years, he had remained active and used his time in bringing out the 3rd and 4th editions of his book Urdu for Pleasure for Ghazal Lovers which have become very popular and a must for every lover of Urdu language.

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With the success of the 4th edition of INTEKHAB 0- LUGHAT, which was compiled by the late Mr. Sultan Nathani and published soon after his demise in 1992, we have brought out several editions and reprints.

With the expansion of TV media in the Asian sub-continent, especially in India and Middle Eastern countries and Indian programmes being televised in the U.K. and Europe, the understanding of Urdu language has become a necessity to enjoy ghazals, film lyrics, TV serial and stage performances.

This book is published by NATHANI TRUST which was founded in 1968 with the basic object of providing educational scholarships and awards to the needy students without any bar on caste or creed.

One of the aims of the Trust has been primarily to work for national integration and break the barrier between different languages. With this aim in mind the Trust is bringing out English-Urdu dictionaries which have helped in popularising and understanding of the Urdu language for ghazal lovers.

All proceeds from the sale of this book will go towards further assisting the needy students from the lower income group.

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With the run-away success of earlier editions and to meet the unprecendented demand for the book, it has been felt necessary to come out with the Sth reprint of 4th edition. The main purpose of this series of URDU FOR PLEASURE 1s for popularising spoken Urdu which has a charismatic effect and a grace of its own.

Prior to Independence, maximum number of journals and newspapers published in India were in Urdu language. After the partition of India, Urdu has suffered a set-back in India due to continuous mis-givings that it is the language of Muslims. Urdu continues to be one of the officially recognised language of India.

The main hurdle with Urdu is that it is written in Persian script. To-day, Persian script is definitely a foreign script for Indians and a divisive element in the way of national integration. During the 15th century Persian was the script of Moghul Royalty. There is no difference between Urdu and Hindi as they are dramatically similar. As a matter of fact, Muslims must demand that Urdu must be taught in Hindi script in their own interest as well as in the country’s interest.

Urdu does not belong to any region or to any religion. It got developed by the natives speaking Brij Bhasha coming continuously in contact with Moghul army’s camps during their rule. The word Urdu means ‘Army Camp’. This contact and communication between the natives of Northern India and Moghul soldiers developed into Urdu language. It is not developed by any Pundits or Molvis. It is people’s language born in Delhi and purely an Indian language. No less a person than India’s renowned journalist Khushwant Singh has said that Urdu is Kohinoor among Indian languages. Today, it is the soul of Indian film industry and basic language for ghazals, film lyrics and stage performances.

Well-known poet Josh Malihabadi had expressed his opinion that in India, Urdu must adopt Hindi script in the interest of Urdu language, Urdu literature and in national interest. Also, well-known poet Firaq Gorakhpuri and film-script writer Masoon Rahi Raza had publicly advocated that Urdu must be written in Hindi script in India. Hindi script would be the unification of two languages and spoken Urdu will remain pure and chase as it is spoken now. The unification would require a minor change of adding z Gi/&) in Hindi alphabet.

Notwithstanding, a noticeable decline in the percentage of Urdu knowing people, there is little decline in the popularity of Urdu ghazals. In recent years, there has been remarkable increase in the interest in ghazals as can be evidenced by the rise of numerous ghazal singers at cultural gatherings, private parties, television shows and films.

A visit to a ghazal concert will prove how some ghazal enthusiasts eagerly jot down the words in their own language so as to refer to them at home to be able to understand the full meaning of the verse. To such ghazal enthusiasts, this book will be a boon.

We have reproduced the Foreword written by Late Janab Kaifi Azmi for our 4th edition. In this, he has also expressed his opinion for change of Persian script to the need of present time.

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