Online Dictionaries
Shadbkosh: An English-Hindi Dictionary
This English-Hindi dictionary is useful as a quick reference, but it lacks in-depth definitions and does not provide the gender of Hindi nouns. It provides entries in Devanagari (i.e. the Hindi script) and in roman transliteration (i.e. the English alphabet).
A Dictionary of Urdu, Classical Hindi, and English by John T. Platts – University of Chicago
This hefty volume from 1884 was scanned for public use online. You can search for entries in Urdu, Hindi, or English. This dictionary is especially useful for advanced students.
Wiktionary-Hindi
This crowd-sourced dictionary for Hindi is still in its infancy but has great potential. Word translations are often provided in several languages. This dictionary is overseen and worked on by the online public. We at Zabaan encourage you to join the Wiktionary community and help this project grow!
Wikitionary-Urdu
This crowd-sourced dictionary for Urdu is still in its infancy but has great potential. Word translations are often provided in several languages. This dictionary is overseen and worked on by the online public. We at Zabaan encourage you to join the Wiktionary community and help this project grow!
Typing in Hindi & Urdu
South Asia Language Resource Center Recommended Fonts – University of Chicago
This site provides practical information about fonts and keyboard layouts best suited for South Asian languages. It includes text samples and links with instructions for how to download and install fonts.
Quillpad: An Editor for Writing in Hindi
This online editor allows you to type Hindi text using the Roman alphabet to produce (usually) correctly spelled text in Devanāgarī (i.e. the Hindi script). The same service is available for nine other South Asian languages, although unfortunately not Urdu.
Hindi & Urdu Song Lyrics, Poetry, and Ghazals
Smriti – Hindi Song Lyrics
This online archive allows users to browse song lyrics by title, movie, year, actor, singer, music director, and lyricist. There is no search function, but the collection is extensive and contains few errors. Song lyrics are available in the Roman alphabet, although not according to the transliteration system used at Zabaan, or in Devanāgarī (i.e. the Hindi script).
Divan-e Ghalib – Professor Frances Pritchett, Columbia University
This online index features a collection of Mirza Ghalib’s ghazals written in Nastaʽlīq (i.e. the Urdu script), Devanāgarī (i.e. the Hindi script), Roman transliteration, and plain Roman.
General South Asian Language References
Professor Frances Pritchett – Columbia University
Provides links to several electronic books on Hindi & Urdu history, Hindi & Urdu literature, glossaries and scripts for films, glossaries for novels, and popular language learning materials.
South Asia Language Resource Center – University of Chicago
Provides access to listservs, blogs, grant and scholarship information, and workshop details related to South Asian languages.
Digital South Asia Library – University of Chicago
A collection of digital dictionaries, images, maps, statistics, bibliographies, indexes, books, journals, and links to other online resources.
Hindi Urdu Flagship – University of Texas at Austin
An impressive collection of electronic books and online learning materials created by The Hindi Urdu Flagship. It also includes downloadable videos of Hindi and Urdu native speakers discussing specific language features as well as links to other Hindi and Urdu online resources.
A Door into Hindi – North Carolina State University
An interactive, multimedia Elementary Hindi learning website created by Dr. Afroz Taj with 24 Hindi lessons and numerous videos with Hindi subtitles showing authentic dialogues shot in India. Includes references to Teach Yourself Hindi and contributions from that book’s author, Rupert Snell.
A Door into Urdu – North Carolina State University
A useful and interactive collection of multimedia Urdu learning materials including 24 Urdu lessons and numerous videos with Urdu subtitles. Dr. Afroz Taj’s answer to A Door into Hindi, this resource includes useful features including an animated demonstration of how Urdu letters are combined.
Books and Language
Hindi Book Centre
A large collection of Hindi novels, non-fiction, and reference books.
New Delhi – 110 002
Land Lines: +91 011-2328-6757 / 2327-4874
E-mail: starpub@satyam.net.in
National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language
A large collection of Urdu novels, non-fiction, reference books, and children’s books.
West Block – 1, Wing – 6, R.K. Puram
New Delhi – 110 066
Website:https://urducouncil.nic.in/welcome.html
Land Lines: +91 011-2610-3381 / 2610-3938
E-mail: urducouncil@gmail.com
Kutub Khana: Anjuman-e-Taraqqi-e-Urdu
Urdu novels, reference books, and children’s book.
New Delhi – 110 006
Land Lines: +91 011-2327-6526
E-mail: kkatu@indiatimes.com
Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi, India’s national academy of letters is an organisation committed to promoting Indian literature, in all its richness and diversity, throughout the world.
New Delhi – 110001
Land Lines: +91 011-2338-6626 / 27 / 28
E-mail:secy@ndb.vsnl.net.in
Ghalib Academy
The Academy was established in 1969 on the death anniversary of Ghalib and was inaugurated by Dr. Zakir Hussain, India’s third president. The Academy has a museum, auditorium, and a library (which contains books and materials related to Ghalib). Seminars about the Urdu language are hosted here as well.
New Delhi – 110 013
Land Line: +91 011-2435-1098
Urdu Academy
The Urdu Academy is committed to promoting the expansion and appreciation of the Urdu language and literature in Delhi. This development process is done through mushairas, cultural programs, and seminars that are organized for different occasions. Financial assistance is provided to disadvantaged Urdu writers so that they are able to publish their work. Scholarships are awarded to Urdu students through its educational and training program.
Kashmere Gate
Delhi – 110 006
Land Lines: +91 011-2386-3858 / 2386-3729
E-mail:urduacademy@rediffmail.com
Music, Arts & Drama
Sangeet Natak Academy
India’s national academy for music, dance and drama and the first national academy of the arts established by the Republic of India. Created in 1952 as the apex body specializing in the performing arts of the country, the Academy offers advice and assistance to the Government of India in formulating and implementing policies and programmes in the field. Additionally, the Academy hold part of the responsibility of the state to foster cultural exchange among various regions in India, and between India and the world.
Rabindra Bhavan, Ferozeshah Road
New Delhi – 110 001
Land Lines: +91 011-2338-7246 / 47 / 48
E-mail: sangeetnatak@bol.net.in
Sahitya Kala Parishad
The cultural wing of the Govt. of NCT of Delhi for music, dance, drama, and fine arts has been engaged in the task of nurturing and fostering the arts and creating a cultural and artistic awareness in the Capital since its inception in 1968. The Parishad has been pursuing multifarious activities in order to enrich the cultural ethos of the Capital and inculcate an artistic awareness amongst the people of Delhi through its various schemes and programmes. With the establishment of Language Academies, the main thrust of the Parishad is performing, visual and plastic arts.
Satsang Vihar Marg Spl. Institutional Area
Munirka (Near Jawaharlal Nehru University)
New Delhi-1100067
Land Line: +91 011- 2651-2411
Email:secyskp@hub.nic.in
Kathak Classes
Kathak Dance classes for the general public and for certification.
9A/8, WEA, Karol Bagh
New Delhi
Website:https://www.tigdhaa.blogspot.com
Mobile: +91 99714-21698
Landline: +91 011-2581-4986
National School of Drama
Established by the Sangeet Natak Academy in 1959, the National School of Drama became an independent entity in 1975. Fully financed by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the school has two performing wings. The first is aimed at graduates, providing a platform for them to perform and produce artistic theatre. The second promotes theatre for children between 8 and 16 years old. The school also runs extensive programs and literary forums and has a publication section.
1 Bhagwandas Road
New Delhi – 110001
Website:www.nsd.gov.in
Land Line: +91 011-2338-2821
E-mail:nsdr@rediffmail.com / info@nsd.gov.in
AIIS’ Archives and Research Center for Ethnomusicology
An excellent library and vast collection of recorded Indian music that has been carefully documented. A project that the center has been working on is retrieving recordings of Indian music abroad to add to their growing collection that now contains recordings that date as far back as the 1930s.
Plot No. 22, Sector-32, Institutional Area
Gurgaon – 122 001
Haryana
Land Lines: +91 124-238-1424 / 238-1384
E-mail:shubhac@yahoo.com
Contact: Dr. Shubha Chaudhuri (Director)
AIIS’ Center for Art and Archeology
This center researches South Asian cultural history. The center’s library holds an extensive collection of books, maps, and journals that cover art, archaeology, and cultural history.
Plot No. 22, Sector-32, Institutional Area
Gurgaon – 122 001
Haryana
Land Lines: +91 124-238-1424 / 238-1384
E-mail:caa.archives@aiis.org.in
Contact: Dr. U.S. Moorti (Deputy Director)