Italian Man Travels to Hyderabad for Love of Urdu
The internet has brought people closer, allowing them to connect with different cultures and languages. One such person is Daniele Speziale, a 26-year-old Italian linguist, whose passion for the Urdu language led him on a two-day journey to Hyderabad, far from his hometown in Italy.
Daniele, who hails from a small town called Savona, speaks Urdu fluently, especially in the local Dakhani dialect spoken in Hyderabad. His ability to converse in flawless Urdu amazes everyone he meets, making it seem as if he is a native of the city.
During a visit to the Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute in Public Gardens, Daniele was seen learning about Urdu literature and poetry, along with a friend from Hyderabad. He was particularly interested in classic works written in Persian and Dakhni, a regional form of Urdu.
Daniele holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from SOAS University of London and has previously worked with an NGO in Congo. When asked about his first visit to Hyderabad, he replied in Urdu, “Haan! Pehli baar Hyderabad aaya hoon” (Yes, this is my first visit to the city).
Daniele explained that his love for Urdu began through the internet. He said, “Mujhe Urdu se bahut muhabbat hae” (I am very fond of Urdu). While learning the language online, he became friends with Riyasat Ali Asrar, a Hyderabad-based Urdu expert who teaches online. Over time, they became close friends.
Daniele’s interest in Urdu initially came from Bollywood songs and movies. He also got involved with an NGO in his hometown, where he interacted with many Indian and Pakistani migrants. This further sparked his curiosity about the Urdu language.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Daniele started studying Urdu grammar and poetry, especially works by famous poets like Ghalib and Mir. He mentioned, “I like Urdu poetry because of how concise it often is, especially the use of rhymes and traditional forms.” He even started writing his own poems and gave himself the pen name “Rah IItalvi” in early 2023.
Daniele’s connection with Hyderabad grew stronger when he discovered Riyasat Ali Asrar, who is also a poet and the founder of Anjuman-e-Fannan, a literary organization in Hyderabad. After studying Asrar’s work, Daniele reached out to him online, and they became friends.
Having traveled through Europe and Africa, Daniele now plans to explore various cities in India. He has already visited Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Mumbai, and is currently in Hyderabad to deepen his understanding of Urdu poetry. During his time in the city, he has visited the resting place of poet Dagh Dehlvi and plans to explore other heritage sites like the Qutub Shahi tombs.
