I had wanted to study Urdu for many years, but never found a class or teacher nearby. Chance led me to Mr Abhishek Shukla. It was a fortuitous happening, and one that I never cease to be grateful for.
Abhishekji is many things – a bank officer, a well-known contemporary Urdu poet, a man with a deep knowledge of, and curiosity about, literature and history, and… a lover of jalebis. But most importantly, he’s a man blessed with abundant patience, a quirky sense of humour, a deep devotion to the propagation of Urdu, and an even deeper commitment to ensuring that anyone who learns Urdu from him would learn not just to read and write Urdu but would also have a new appreciation of the nuances of this beautiful language. His passion for the language, his hard work and dedication to his students surpass any person I have known.
If I am able to read Urdu fluently after a three-month course, it is thanks to him. His knowledge of Urdu literature and poetry is vast; what impresses me the most, however, is that he is equally willing to acknowledge what he doesn’t know, look it up, and explain it to us in the next session so that what he teaches us is the correct word, phrase or meaning. That is the mark of a great teacher.
I have continued my Urdu lessons with him for nearly two years, and I can safely say that whatever I have learnt has been due to his perseverance. And what I don’t know is because of my lack thereof.
It has been my good fortune to have been associated with him from the very beginning and I continue to be thankful for the chance that led me to him.