Bahar : This is the metre of the poem. This can loosely thought of as the length of the sher. Both the lines of a sher MUST be of the same 'bahar' or 'metre'. Also, all the ashaar of a ghazal MUST be of the same bahar. There are 19 different metres that are used in Urdu poetry. In simple terms, they are divided into three categories - short, medium and long.
Matla : First Verse / Ash'ar of (The opening SHE'R of a GHAZAL )This is the first sher of a ghazal, and both lines of the sher must end in the radeef. Usually a ghazal has only one matla. If a ghazal has more than one matla, then the second matla is called 'matla-e-saani'.
Maqta : Last Verse / Ash'ar, which usually contains the penname of the poet. A shaayar (poet) usually had a pen-name under which he wrote. The pen-name is called 'taKhallus' (takh-ul-lus). The sher in which the taKhallus is included is called the maqta. It is the last sher of the Ghazal.
Misra' : One line of a couplet, or verse.
Qafiya : The rhyming pattern of the word(s) just before the radeef at the end of the line in a sher. This is a necessary requirment, followed even in the absence of other rules. (Rhyming of the last words of a poem.)
Radeef : Word or phrase that is repeated at the end of the second line in EVERY sher. The SAME word(s) are repeated. The matla has both lines ending in the 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.
Sher (shey-r) : A sher is a couplet - a poem of two lines. Each couplet embodies a single thought and is complete in itself. The plural of sher is ashaar. A sher is also called a 'bait' (bay-t).
Takhallus : A name adopted by a poet, by which he is known in the literary world.
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Commonly used terms in Urdu Poetry :
Asaatizaa : A collective term used to refer to the great masters of Urdu poetry. Most of the well known poets of Urdu fall into this category - Meer, Ghalib, Zauq, Sauda, et al.
Husn-e-Ghazal : The best sher in a ghazal. It is also called 'bait ul Ghazal'.
Misra : A line of a couplet or verse is called a misra. In a sher, the first line is called 'misra-e-oolaa' and the second line is called 'misra-e-saanii'.
Mushaira : A symposium or gathering of poets where they are invited to recite their poems.
Tah-tul-Lafz : The manner of reciting a poem word for word without singing.
Takhallus : A pen-name or nom-de-plume adopted by a poet. This is usually the name the poet is known by in the literary world.
Tarannum : The manner of reciting a poem in the form of a song.
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