Yung Ven Liu at his residence. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur June 24: A Chinese by origin, Yung Ven Liu embraced Urdu as his mother tongue since the time he came to Jamshedpur in 1939.

He is approaching eighties and his visage shows the ravages of time.

In an era when Urdu seems to have passed into oblivion, Liu redefines Urdu literature. He has written a book, Lakeero Ki Sada, meaning “voice of our fate”, to be published soon.

This book would be an exclusive collection of Urdu poems. “The process of publication has started and the book will hit market soon,” he said.Two noted poets of the city — Shams Faridi and Saiyyad Ahmed Shamim — have shouldered the responsibility of compiling his poems in a book.

Liu said: “When I came to Jamshedpur in 1939, there were many Tata Steel-run schools where we had to learn a vernacular language. I chose Urdu in Burmamines Upper Primary school. After that, I was admitted to Loyola School. But my passion for Urdu took me back to an Urdu school and I completed my matriculation in Urdu medium.” Liu considers writing a passion and he is obsessed with the language. Thus, he has kept a pseudonym called Shaida Chini, “aashique Urdu ka”.

Since 17, he took to writing and gradually as time progressed he became a noted Urdu writer of the city. Being recognised with many awards, Liu received the Firaque Gorakhpuri Award in 2003. Today he smiles at the fact that his poems are going to be published. “I am happy about my book but I never wrote with the intention of publishing them. I always wrote for my passion,” he said.

As he looks down the memory lane, he tells that his wife Shao En Lein has been extremely supportive. “Although she does not understand much of the language still she appreciates what I write,” he said with a smile.

A slew of degrees and diplomas has been added to his name. Having completed his dental studies from Hyderabad, Liu had been a dental surgeon for 50 years. Burdened with age he left his profession in 2000 and handed over his work to his son Eric Liu. Eric gets emotional as he appreciates his father’s works. “I don’t have words to express my feelings on the publication of his book. I am planning a grand launch,” he said.

Faridi said: “Liu’s book will be distributed in all the libraries of the world. We want to preserve his exclusive works.” Shamim said the way in which Liu recites his poems was “quite commendable”.