Urdu Translations of Russian Novels: A Bridge Between Cultures

Urdu literature, with its rich history spanning poetry, prose, and fiction, has long been a medium for cultural exchange. One of the most fascinating yet underexplored aspects of Urdu literary tradition is its engagement with Russian literature through translations. Russian novels, renowned for their psychological depth, philosophical inquiry, and social commentary, found a receptive audience in the Urdu-speaking world, particularly during the 20th century. This essay explores the history of Urdu translations of Russian novels, highlights ten famous Russian novelists whose works were translated into Urdu, identifies their Urdu translators, and examines the cultural and literary impact of these translations. 

Historical Context: The Rise of Urdu Translations 

The tradition of translating foreign literature into Urdu began in the 19th century, largely due to the influence of British colonialism and the subsequent exposure to European literary traditions. However, the translation of Russian novels into Urdu gained momentum in the 20th century, particularly after the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Bolshevik ideals of equality, social justice, and anti-imperialism resonated with progressive literary movements in South Asia, such as the Progressive Writers’ Movement (PWM), which began in the 1930s. The PWM, initiated by writers like Sajjad Zaheer and Ahmed Ali, sought to address social inequalities and promote revolutionary ideas, making Russian literature—with its focus on class struggle and human suffering—an ideal source of inspiration. 

During the Soviet era, the USSR actively promoted its literature globally as a form of cultural diplomacy. This included the translation of Russian classics into various languages, including Urdu. Soviet organizations like the Foreign Languages Publishing House (Moscow) collaborated with Urdu translators and publishers in India and Pakistan to make Russian literature accessible to South Asian readers. Additionally, the shared anti-imperialist sentiment in the post-colonial period further fueled interest in Russian novels, which often critiqued societal hierarchies and explored the human condition in ways that Urdu readers found relatable. 

The Cultural Significance of Russian Novels in Urdu 

Russian literature, particularly from the 19th and early 20th centuries, is known for its deep exploration of existential questions, moral dilemmas, and social structures. Novels by authors like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, and Anton Chekhov offered Urdu readers a window into a different cultural and philosophical landscape while addressing universal themes such as love, loss, morality, and the struggle for justice. These themes resonated with Urdu readers, who were grappling with their own socio-political challenges, including the partition of India in 1947, class disparities, and the quest for identity in a post-colonial world. 

The Urdu translations of Russian novels also played a crucial role in enriching Urdu prose. Prior to the 20th century, Urdu literature was predominantly poetic, with forms like the ghazal and nazm dominating the literary scene. The influx of Russian novels, with their focus on narrative depth and character development, contributed to the evolution of the Urdu novel as a genre. Translators not only brought Russian stories to Urdu readers but also adapted the stylistic elements of Russian literature, such as psychological realism and social critique, into the Urdu literary tradition. 

Ten Famous Russian Novelists and Their Urdu Translators 

Below is a list of ten prominent Russian novelists whose works have been translated into Urdu, along with the names of their Urdu translators. 

1. Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821–1881) 

• Notable Works in Urdu: Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, The Idiot 
• Urdu Translators: 
• Rashid Ahmed Siddiqui (translated Crime and Punishment) 
• Sahir Ludhianvi (translated excerpts of Dostoevsky’s works) 

2. Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) 

• Notable Works in Urdu: War and Peace, Anna Karenina, Resurrection 
• Urdu Translators: 
• Qazi Abdul Ghaffar (translated Anna Karenina) 
• Krishan Chander (translated Tolstoy’s short stories) 

3. Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) 

• Notable Works in Urdu: The Cherry Orchard, The Lady with the Dog (short stories) 
• Urdu Translator: Syed Abid Ali Abid (translated Chekhov’s plays and stories) 

4. Nikolai Gogol (1809–1852) 

• Notable Works in Urdu: Dead Souls, The Overcoat 
• Urdu Translator: Ibn-e-Insha (translated Gogol’s satirical works) 

5. Ivan Turgenev (1818–1883) 

• Notable Work in Urdu: Fathers and Sons 
• Urdu Translator: Mirza Adeeb (translated Turgenev’s works) 

6. Mikhail Lermontov (1814–1841) 

• Notable Work in Urdu: A Hero of Our Time 
• Urdu Translator: Shamsur Rahman Faruqi (translated Lermontov’s poetry and prose) 

7. Alexander Pushkin (1799–1837) 

• Notable Work in Urdu: Eugene Onegin 
• Urdu Translator: Jameel Jalibi (translated Pushkin’s poetry) 

8. Maxim Gorky (1868–1936) 

• Notable Work in Urdu: Mother 
• Urdu Translator: Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi (translated Gorky’s socialist realism works) 

9. Boris Pasternak (1890–1960) 

• Notable Work in Urdu: Doctor Zhivago 
• Urdu Translator: Intizar Hussain (translated Pasternak’s novel) 

10. Vasily Grossman (1905–1964) 

• Notable Work in Urdu: Life and Fate 
• Urdu Translator: Ashfaq Ahmed (translated Grossman’s war narratives) 

Challenges in Translation 

Translating Russian novels into Urdu posed several challenges: 

• Linguistic Differences: Russian syntax and idioms often required creative adaptation. 
• Cultural Context: Concepts like Russian Orthodoxy and serfdom needed explanations for Urdu readers. 
• Political Censorship: During the Cold War, Soviet literature was sometimes viewed with suspicion in Pakistan, leading to selective translations. 

Impact on Urdu Literature and Readers 

Russian translations influenced Urdu writers like Qurratulain Hyder (Aag Ka Darya) and Abdullah Hussain (Udaas Naslein), who adopted Russian-style realism. These works also inspired political and philosophical discourse among Urdu readers. 

Conclusion 

The Urdu translations of Russian novels represent a remarkable cultural bridge. By introducing Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov to Urdu audiences, translators like Rashid Ahmed Siddiqui, Qazi Abdul Ghaffar, and Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi enriched Urdu literature. These works remain a testament to the power of translation in fostering global literary connections.