Umrao Jaan Ada

infobox Book |
name = Umrao Jaan Ada
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Mirza Hadi Ruswa
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = Pakistan, India, Bangladesh
language = Urdu
series =
genre = Novel
publisher =
release_date = 1899
english_release_date = 1970
media_type =
pages =
isbn =
preceded_by =
followed_by =

Umrao Jaan Ada is a Urdu novel by Mirza Hadi Ruswa (1857-1931), first published in 1899 [ [http://www.chowrangi.com/mein-aur-umrao-jan-ada.html Mein Aur Umrao Jan Ada] chowrangi, May 9th, 2007] . It is considered the first Urdu novel by many [http://sasw.chass.ncsu.edu/fl/faculty/taj/hindi/humrao.htm Umrao Jaan Ada by Mirza Hadi Ruswa] Umrao Jaan at sasw.chass.ncsu.edu] and tells the story of a real life courtesan and poetess by the same from 19th century Lucknow, as recounted by her to the author.

History and Theme

As the novel suggests, the story of Umrao Jaan was recounted by her, to the author, after he happen to meet her, during a mushairah (poetry gathering) in Lucknow [ [http://lotusreads.blogspot.com/2007/01/umrao-jaan-ada-by-mirza-mohammad-hadi.html Umrao Jaan Ada by Mirza Mohammad Hadi Ruswa] Translation by Khushwant Singh] . On listening to her couplets, the author along with 'Mushi Ahmad', a novel and poetry enthusiast present at the gathering, convinces Umrao Jaan to share her life story with them. In course of time, Mirza starts noting down her story, and in the end shares the text with her, after initial annoyance, she eventually corrects it as well [ [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/texts/ldpd_5970736_001/pages/ldpd_5970736_001_00000006.html?toggle=image&menu=maximize&top=&left= Glossary] Shackle, C. Umrāʻo Jān Adā, a glossary, Columbia University, 1970] . Thus the novel is written in first person as a memoir [ [http://www.newsline.com.pk/NewsJuly2001/book.htm Various translations of Umrao Jaan Ada] Newsline, 2001] . Subsequently, the book was first published by Munshi Gulab Singh and Sons Press, Lucknow in 1899 [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/texts/ldpd_6299825_000/pages/ldpd_6299825_000_00000001.html?toggle=&menu=maximize&top=&left= Complete Urdu Text] 1899 version] .

Incidentally, Umrao Jaan Ada herself also published a novel titled ‘Fasan-e-Ruswa’, which describes the love story of Mirza Hadi Ruswa with a French woman Sophia Augustan, and later came to be known in Royal the courts of the Nawab of Awadh for a her Urdu poetry and compositions [ [http://www.indiaclub.com/Shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=15350 Umrao Jaan Ada] Book description at indiaclub] .

The novel is known for its elaborate and insightful portrayal of mid-19th Century Lucknow, its decadent society, and also describes as a subtext, the moral hypocrisy of the patriarchal system of the times, where Umrao Jaan also becomes the symbol of a nation, that had long attracted many suitors but each only looking to exploit her .

Umrao Jaan Ada in Media

Films

Over the years the novel and the life of Umrao Jaan Ada has inspired many a films both in India and Pakistan. First it was made into a hit Pakistani film in 1972, Umrao Jaan Ada [ [http://www.dukandar.com/umraojaanadafilm.html Umrao Jaan Ada film] DVD dukandar] , starring Rani and Hassan Tariq [ [http://mazhar.dk/film/history/70s/1972.htm#uja 1972 films in Pakistan] 1972, Pakistan Film Magazine] , then into two Indian films, the 1981 film Umrao Jaan, made by Muzaffar Ali [ [http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=419637 Umrao Jaan’s thinking cap] India-forums, 29 September 2006] [imdb|1718023] and Umrao Jaan (2006 film) by J.P. Dutta.

Television

The novel was also the theme of a Pakistani television serial, Umrao Jan Ada, shown in 2003 [ [http://www.isim.nl/files/Review_15/Review_15-32.pdf The Courtesans in the Living Room,”] ISIM Review, 2005] It was directed by Rana Sheikh and the storyline was written by prominent poet Zehra Nigah.

Urdu Text

* Umrao Jaan Ada, Mirza Hadi Ruswa, 2003, Publisher: Sang-e-Meel. ISBN 969-35-0674-X. [ [http://www.dukandar.com/umraojaan.html Umrao Jaan Ada] books at dukandar]

Further reading

* The Courtesan of Lucknow (Umrao Jan Ada), (UNESCO collection of representative works). Hind Pocket Books, 1970. [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006C2636]
* "Hasan Shah". The Nautch Girl: A Novel. Translated by Qurratulain Hyder. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers, 1992 [ [http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/History/British/Umrao.html The Courtesan and the Indian Novel] sscnet.ucla, History/Politics] .
* Umrao Jan Ada. Translated by David Matthews. New Delhi, Rupa and Co., 2006. ISBN 81-7167-311-2.
* Umrad Jan Ada, Translated K. Singh (English). Orient Paperbacks, 2005. ISBN 8122203930.
* Umrao Jan Ada, Translated Khushwant Singh (English). 2006. Disha Books. ISBN 8125015930. [http://www.newsline.com.pk/NewsJuly2001/book.htm]

References

External links

* [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/texts/ldpd_6299825_000/pages/ldpd_6299825_000_00000002.html Complete Urdu Text of Mirza Hadi Ruswa's Umrao Jaan Ada]
* [http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00urdu/umraojan/index.html Dedicated site to the work of Mirza Hadi Ruswa]