Urdu Poetry

Ash'ar
(Couplet). It consists of two lines (MISRA); first line is called 'MISRA-E-OOLA' and the
second is called 'MISRA-E-SANI'. Each verse embodies a single thought or subject
(sing) SHE'R.
Bait
Another term for SHE'R.

Bait-Ul-Ghazal
The best SHE'R in a GHAZAL

Ghazal
(Ode). The literary meaning of the word 'GHAZAL' is to converse with beloved. It is a
poem containing minimum 5 verses and maximum 25. The opening Verse of the
GHAZAL is called MATLA and both hemistiches rhyme with one another. The last
verse of the GHAZAL is called MAQTA which usually contains the penname of the
poet. Most of Persian and Urdu writers have earned fame as GHAZAL writers.
GHAZAL is the soul of Urdu literature and most popular form of Urdu poetry.

Fard
Composition of only a single SHE'R is called FARD.

Hamd
Poem written in praise of God.

Hazal
Poem with humourous subject.

Hijv
(Satire). A poem written to condemn or to abuse a person. This form of poetry is
considered of low type and which is usually avoided by reputed poets. The exact
opposite of HIJV is MADAH which is a poem written in praise of Kings and Patrons.

Husn-E-Matla
Rhyming of the first two lines of a GHAZAL is called HUSN-E-MATLA.

Madah
Poem written in praise of Kings and Patrons.

Manqabat
Poem written in praise of Ahle-E-Bait (the members of the family of Holy Prophet).

Maqata
The last line of a GHAZAL or a poem which generally contains the poet's pen-name.

Marsiya
A poem written to commemorate the exploits of great men of Islam; usually to
describe the battle fought on the plains of Karbala in Iraq by Hazarat Imam Husain
and his supporters against the army of Yazid. It is usually a poem of mourning. The
famous MARSIYA writers in Urdu are Mir Baberali Anis and Salamatali Dabir. Even a
short poem written to mourn the death of a friend can be called MARSIYA. Lord
Alfred Tennyson's poem 'In Memoriam' can rightly be called MARSIYA. The sub-parts
of MARSIYA are called NOHA and SOZ which means lamentation and burning of
(heart) respectively.

Masnawi
A long epic poem describing the battles fought long ago and past events. It may
also contain philosophical or ethical themes. The most famous MASNAWIS are Shah-

Namah of Firdosi, Masnavi-E-Roomi in Persian language and Zehar-E-Ishq in Urdu.

Even epic poems of India, Mahabharata and Ramayana can be called MASNAWI.

Matla
The opening SHE'R of a GHAZAL or a poem.

Misra'
One line of a couplet, or verse.

Munajat
A lyrical poem as prayer to God.

Musaddas
Each unit consists of 6 lines (Misra). Most famous writer of this type of poem is
Maulana Altaf Husain Hali.

Nat
Verses written in praise of the Holy Prophet.

Nazam
The literary meaning of NAZM is Poetry (opp of NASR) (Prose) A poem fully dealing
with a single subject or thought.

Qafia
Rhyming of the last words of a poem.

Qasida

(Ballad). It is a long poem in Urdu, Persian or Arabic which usually describes battles
or written in praise of kings; princes or the poet's patron. There is no limit of verses;
it may even go beyond hundred lines.

Qata
(Fragments). It has two SHE'RS (lines) and has a complete one subject.

Radeef
(End rhyme). Each SHE'R of GHAZAL in addition to QAFIA may also have RADEEF
which is rhyming of more than the last two or three words.

Rubai'ee
Contains only 4 lines, the third one being different from the other three as it should
not have QAFIA and RADEEF. RUBAI'EE deals with social, philosophical and romantic
subjects. In Persian language Umar Khayyam is supposed to be a great poet of
RUBAIYY A T whereas in Urdu Yagana, Firaq and Josh are leading poets of this time
and Anis, an old time poet.

Salam
(Literal meaning Salutation) It is a kind of poem in which the incidents of Karbala i.e.
hardships of Hazarat Imam Husain and his followers are described It is also written
in Praise of Holy Prophet, and is recited by standing up.

Sehra
A song sung at the time of tying Sehra during wedding ceremony, praising the bride
or the bridegroom and their relatives.

Sher Ashob
Poem describing a ruined city.

Tah-Tul-Lafz
The manner of reciting a poem; like rhythmic prose i.e. without singing; word for
word.

Takhallus
A name adopted by a poet, by which he is known in the literary world.

Tarannum
The manner of reciting a poem in the form of a song.

Wasokht
Literal meaning 'displeasure' or 'disgust'. A kind of poem in which the displeasure
and carelessness of a lover is narrated; while relinquishing the beloved.

Geet
Song or hymn.

Mushaira
A symposium of poets; a poet's gathering.

Qawwali
Devotional song expressing the love and oneness with God sung by a group _of
people to the accompaniment of musical instruments. Now-a-days, it has taken
popular form covering subjects of romance, liquor, etc.