Urdu with Persian touch used to be the symbol of educated and elite class. But since the beginning of 20th century Urdu was gradually forgotten. The language received a major setback after it was linked with minority community. But the fact is Urdu had always been the language of Indians not just Muslims. The best example is the wedding invitation card of Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru which was printed in Urdu.
3 wedding invitation cards of Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Kaul have documentary evidence. The cards printed in Urdu nowadays don’t have such sweetness as we can find in the card of Jawaharlal Nehru’s wedding invitation.
Qaumi Aawaz has published the pictures of 3 invitation cards with reference to Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Allahabad. The first invitation was published by Jawaharlal Nehru’s father Pundit Moti Lal Nehru. The second invitation was printed by Moti Lal Nehru to invite guests at Anand Bhawan (Allahabad). The third card was printed for inviting guests to the dinner after the arrival of his daughter-in-law Kamala Kaul. This card comprised of two pages.
All the three cards show the love of Nehru family towards Urdu. As far as Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru is concerned, he had interest in Urdu literature especially poetry from his childhood itself. He was born in Allahabad. His primary education was arranged at his residence where separate teachers used to teach him Sanskrit, Hindi and English. His friends include Firaq Ghorakhpuri, Josh Malhiabadi, Jigar Muradabadi, Saghar Nizami, etc. He was a great admirer of Allama Iqbal.
Today situation has changed. 100 years have passed after the marriage of Jawaharlal Nehru. Urdu knowing non-Muslims can be counted on fingers. But a positive aspect is that, Rahul Gandhi, one of the descendents of Jawaharlal Nehru also has somewhat interest in Urdu. This could be said because he sometimes uploads poetry of Ghalib and Iqbal on his twitter handle.
Jawaharlal Nehru’s wedding invitation was printed in Urdu
