From US to Lucknow it’s ‘pehle aap’

Their friendship goes back two decades and their ‘romance’ with the city of nawabs is what drew them together in the first place.

Meet professor Afroz Taj and John Caldwell, who arrived in the state capital on Saturday to present a talk on contemporary relevance of various aspects of the Ram Charit Manas as performative poetry. The event will be held at International Reasearch Institute of Buddhist Studies, Lucknow on Sunday.

The duo enjoyed the first monsoon shower that lashed the city making the greenery come alive. As they settled on the couch for a candid chat with HT City, they gushed about the nawabi culture and tehzeeb.

“The best thing about Lucknow is its history, culture, diversity, nawabi tehzeeb along with the ghazals and the most generous phrase ‘pehle aap’. I often visit Lucknow with my colleagues and impressed with the hospitality and love I receive from the people here. Lucknow has a special place in my heart. During my visits I have built some lasting friendships with Lucknowites,” says John Caldwell.

He is Phd in Hindi-Urdu literacy and possesses a strong inclination towards the Hindu culture since childhood. “I had performed Ramlila on several occasions in the USA where I used to act as Hanuman and speak all those lovely dialogues. I was a shy person but as soon as I came on stage, my entire demeanor would change.”

At the time, Afroz Taj tells about Caldwell’s sense of humour that helped him bond with his students.

Speaking about his Lucknow connect Taj says, “I mostly come to Lucknow because of old Urdu books that are not available in USA. Lucknow’s tradition is the most remarkable element of the city, which never changes. If I come back after ten years later, I am sure nothing much will change.”

Speaking about his fascination for Ram Charit Manas and Urdu language Caldwell says, “We are wellconnected with Ram Charit Manas as we have always been very close to Hindi and Urdu language as well as several other aspects of Hindu culture. Many of my poetries are closely related to the culture and Hinduism.”

Afroz Taj and John Caldwell always tell people in US about different aspects of Indian culture, as they feel that it is very intriguing. Professor Afroz Taj also does a well-known show ‘Geet bazaar,’ which focuses mainly on shayari and ghazals. John too has gained a strong hold on Hindi language.

Carolina is the hub of technology .It acts as a triangle between three cities. It is such a place where Indians have such good profiles and well-known job, some are doctors and some are engineers. “We have studied there as well and we are teaching there (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA). It’s an honour working with such a renowned university for twenty years,” they said before signing off.

I had performed Ramlila on several occasions in the USA where I used to act as Hanuman and speak all those lovely dialogues. JOHN CALDWELL, LECTURER

Afroz Taj and John Caldwell PHOTO: DHEERAJ DHAWAN/HT