Urdu Ghazals

A Ghazal (pronounced "Ghuzzle") is a set of couplets or sher, which is sung as a short song. It is just a musical recitation of a poem. It said to have originated as early as in 10th century Persian poetry and is highly influenced by Arabic and Persian forms of literature. It was given a sense of mysticism in the Urdu language. Ghazals in Urdu language are an extraordinary way to express your innermost feelings of love and romance. Urdu Ghazals have found their way into many Hindi films and music. The couplets used in a ghazal have their own independent essence, but when used together in a sequence, they form a beautiful ghazal. To know more about Urdu ghazals, continue to read this insightful article on it.

History Of Ghazals
Though prominently used in the Urdu language, the Ghazals have influenced many other languages and many Ghazals have been composed in Hindi as well. In fact, now-a-days, ghazal is being composed in English as well. The pronunciations and phonetics of the Urdu language are very exotic and unique and can be perfected only after much practice. The ghazal culture spread into South Asia around the 12th century through wandering Islamic and Sufi mystics.

Many Persian mystics and poets have penned down many famous ghazals. Among the famous poets, one finds the name of Mirza Ghalib at the top. A very famous Urdu poet of the 18th century, he epitomized the genre of romantic ghazals in his time. Among other famous Urdu poets who wrote Ghazals are Rumi (13th century), Hafez (14th century) and Muhammad Iqbal (19th century) to name a few. Iqbal wrote poems in both Urdu and Persia.

There is a major difference between a ghazal and a song. To start with, a ghazal is made up of two couplets usually and a song on the other hand is made up of three to four couplets. A ghazal is made up of a introductory couplet which is called as matla. A song usually has a couplet which is the chorus couplet called Mukhda, which is repeated throughout the song. The rhyme scheme also differs in ghazals and songs. Ghazals usually have a theme that revolves around love, sadness, and obsession whereas songs have much wider scope when it comes to the central theme.

Ghazal By Muhammad Ibrahim Zauq: Ab Toh Ghabra Ke Ye Kahte Hai Ke Mar Jayenge
Ab to ghabra ke ye kahte hai ke mar jaayenge
Mar ke bhi chain na paaya to kidhar jaayenge
Tum ne thahrai agar gair ke ghar jaane ki
To iraade yahan kuch aur thahr jaayenge
Hum nahi vo jo Karen khoon ka daava tujh par
Balqi puchega khuda bhi toh mukar jaayenge
Aag dozakh ki bhi ho jaayengi paani paani
Jab ye aasi arq e sharm se tar jaayenge
Shola e aah ko bijli ki tarah chamkaaun
Par mujhe darr hai ki vo dekh kar darr jaayenge
Laaye jo mast hai turbat pe gulaabi aankhen
Aur agar kuch nahi do phool to dhar jaayenge
Nahi paayega nishaan koi humara hargiz
Hum jahan se ravish e teer e nazar jaayenge
Pahunchenge rahguzar e yaar talak hum kyunkar
Pehele jab tak na do aalam se guzar jaayenge
Zauq jo madarse ke bigde huye hai mullah
Unko maikhaane mein le aao sanvar jaayenge.

Ghazal By Kaifi Azmi: Nazaraanaa
Tum pareshaan na ho baab e karam vaa na karo
Aur kuch der pukaarunga chala jaunga
Isee kuchche mein jahan chand uga karate hain
Sab e taareek guzaarunga chalaa jaunga
Rasta bhool gaya ya yahan manzil hai meri
Koi laya hai ya khud aaya hun maalum nahin
Kahate hain husan ki nazare bhi haseen hoti hain
Main bhi kuch layaa hun kya layaa hun maalum nahi
Yu toh jo kuch tha mere paas mein sab kuch baech aaya
Kahin inaam mila aur kahi qeemat bhi nahi
Kuch tumhare liye aankho mein chupa rakha hai
Dekh lo aur na dekho toh shikaayat bhi nahi
Ek toh itni haseen dusare ye araish
Jo nazar padti hai chehre per tahar jaati hai
Muskura deti ho rasaman bhi bikhar jaati hain
Garam boson se tarasha hua naazuk paikar
Jis ki ek aanch se har ruuh pighal jaati hai
Main ne socha hai to sab sochate honge shayad
Pyaas iss tarah bhi kya saanche mein dhal jaati hai
Kya kami hai jo karogi mera nazaraana qubool
Chahane vale bahut chaah ke afsaane bahut
Ek hi raat sahi garmi e hangama e ishq
Ek hi raat mein jal marte hain parvaane bahut
Phir bhi ek raat mein sau tarah ke mod aate hain
Kaash tumko kabhi tanhai ka ahsaas na ho
Kash aisa na ho gair e raah e duniya tum ko
Aur iss tarah ki jis tarah koi pass na ho
Aaj ki raat jo meri tarah tanha hai
Main kis tarah guzarunga chala jaunga
Tum pareshaan na ho baab e karam vaa na karo
Aur kuch der pukaarunga chala jaunga.