It’s been a little over three and a half years since I posted on this blog about the different meters (bahr) I had used in my ghazals and nazms. At that time I had used 23 different meters in my poetry. Since then I have been doing a lot of reading to understand the nuances of Urdu prosody, while also exploring other meters I hadn’t used before. Now that I have crossed the milestone of 50 meters and 100 ghazals/nazms, I am ready for Part 2. As things stand today, I have a collection of 104 ghazals/nazms (784 couplets) using 52 different meters. I have even tried my hand at writing ghazals in meters like Doha and Rubaa’ii that are almost never used for ghazals.
Like in my previous post, I will list down the 29 ‘new’ meters I have used since the last post, along with their technical names, metrical feet, syllable pattern(s) and examples, one from a poem or a song by a known poet/lyricist, and another from mine. In some cases, I have not been able to provide a ‘known’ example because some of these meters have been used very rarely in Urdu poetry. I have used the standard symbols that many people use i.e = for a long syllable and – for a short one, with / denoting the end of a metrical foot and // representing a mid-point break or caesura in some meters.
I am also providing the metrical feet or arkaan (singular - rukn) that constitute a particular meter. These metrical feet are defined by way of meaningless words called afaa’iil (singular - f’el) that signify the presence of a long or short syllable.
Meter 24 & 25
Technical Name: Ramal Musamman MaKhbuun Mahzuuf Maqtuu’a or Ramal Musamman MaKhbuun Mahzuuf
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: faa-‘i-laa-tun / fa-'i-laa-tun / f’e-lun or faa-‘i-laa-tun / fa-'i-laa-tun / fa-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: =* - = = / - - = = / = = or =* - = = / - - = = / - - =
Usage: 2 ghazals & 1 nazm; 20 couplets
Example:
- phir mujhe diidah-e-tar yaad aayaa
dil jigar-tishnah-e-faryaad aaya
(Ghalib) - kaise mu.Nh-zor se paalaa hai paRaa
dil pe ‘Naaqid’ tirii har baat lage
(Naaqid)
Meter 26
Technical Name: Mutaqaarib Musamman Mahzuuf
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: fa-‘uu-lun / fa-‘uu-lun / fa-‘uu’lun / fa-‘al
Syllable Sequence: – = = / – = = / – = = / – =
Usage: 1 ghazal & 1 nazm; 19 couplets
Example:
- kahaa mai.n ne kitna hai gul kaa sabaat
kalii ne ye sun kar tabassum kiyaa
(Mir Taqi Mir) - girebaa.n kahaa.N jis me.n mu.nh Daaliye
zamiir apnaa Khud be-libaada kiyaa
(Naaqid)
Meter 27
Technical Name: Rajaz Musamman Matvi MaKhbuun
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: muf-ta-’i-lun / ma-faa-‘i-lun // muf-ta-’i-lun / ma-faa-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: = – – = / – = – = // = – – = / – = – =
Usage: 1 ghazal & 1 qit’aa; 12 couplets
Example:
- dil hi to hai na sang-o-Khisht dard se bhar na aa.e kyuu.N
ro.e.Nge ham hazaar baar koi hame.n sataa.e kyuu.N
(Ghalib) - wo hai.n ki apnaa lafz lafz chunte hai.n ehtiyaat se
apni zabaa.N ki kyaa kahe.n talKh hai be-lagaam hai
(Naaqid)
Meter 28
Technical Name: Hazaj Musamman Ashtar Maqbuuz
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: faa-‘i-lun / ma- faa-‘i-lun // faa-‘i-lun / ma-faa-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: = – = / – = – = // = – = / – = – =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 12 couplets
Example:
- jhoomtii chalii hawaa yaad aa gayaa koii
bujhtii bujhtii aag ko phir jalaa gayaa koii
(Shailendra, Film: Sangeet samrat Tansen) - shahr-e-dil ki vus’ate.n is tarah simaT gaii.n
har galii hisaar me.n kuucha kuucha ta.ng hai
(Naaqid)
Meter 29
Technical Name: Mutadaarik Musamman Matqtuu.a Mahzuuf
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: faa-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-lun / f’a
Syllable Sequence: = – = / = – = / = – = / =
Usage: 1ghazal & 12 couplets
Example:
- aaj sochaa to aa.Nsuu bhar aaye
muddate.n ho gaii.n muskuraaye
(Kaifi Azmi, Film: Hanste Zakhm) - hai hayaat ek ustaad jiske
haath me.n tajribe ki chhaRi hai
(Naaqid)
Meter 30
Technical Name: Mutadaarik Musamman Muzaa,’af Maqtuu.’a MaKhbuun
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: Multiple variations are possible in this meter, usually in the combination of f’e-lun (= =) and fa-‘i-lun (- - =)
Syllable Sequence: (=) = / (=) = / (=) = / (=) = // (=) = / (=) = / (=) = / (=) = (any odd numbered long syllable can be broken into two shorts)
Usage: 1 ghazal; 12 couplets
Example:
- ruudaad-e-mohabbat kyaa kahiye, kuchh yaad rahii kuchh bhuul gaye
do din ki masarrat kyaa kahiye, kuchh yaad rahii kuchh bhuul gaye
(Saghar Siddiqui) - jo v’adah Khilaafii me.n maahir jis ko na rahaa kuchh paas-e-wafaa
wo apnii or tavajjoh kii taakiid kare to kaise kare
(Naaqid)
Meter 31
Technical Name: Mutadaarik Musamman Saalim
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: faa-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: = – = / = – = / = – = /= – =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 9 couplets
Example:
- aap kii yaad aatii rahii raat bhar
chashm-e-nam muskuraatii rahii raat bhar
(Shahryar; Film: Gaman) - saamne qahqaho.n kii jhaRii dekhiye
piichhe Gamgii.n kahaani juRii dekhiye
(Naaqid)
Meter 32
Technical Name: Ramal Musamman Mashkuul
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: ma-faa-‘ii-lun / ma-faa-‘ii-lun / ma-faa-‘ii-lun / ma-faa-‘ii-lun
Syllable Sequence: - - = – / = – = = // - - = – / = – = =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 1 couplets
Example:
- ye na thii hamaarii qismat ki visaal-e-yaar hota
agar aur jiite rehte yahii intezaar hota
(Ghalib) - na jabii.n zamii.n pe ‘Naaqid’ na dimaaG aasmaa.N par
na to achchhii inkisaarii na guzaaf-o-laaf achchhaa
(Naaqid)
Meter 33
Technical Name: Sarii’a Musaddas Matvii Maksuuf
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: muf-ta-‘i-lun / muf-ta-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: = - - = / = - - = / = - =
Usage: 1 ghazals; 9 couplets
Example:
- Khaali na chhoRe.nge ham apni jagah
gar yahi ronaa hai to bhar jaae.nge
(Mir Taqi Mir) - Toh mire dil me.n lagaane ghusii
yaad tirii jaise ki jaasuus ho
(Naaqid)
Meter 34
Technical Name: Mutaqaarib Musamman Muzaa’af Maqbuuz Aslam
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: fa-‘uu-l / f’e-lun / fa-‘uu-l / f’e-lun / fa-‘uu-l / f’e-lun / fa-‘uu-l / f’e-lun
Syllable Sequence: - = - / = = / - = - / = = / - = - / = = / - = - / = =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 9 couplets
Example:
- ze-haal-e-miskii.n makun taGaful duraa.e nainaa.n banaa.e batiyaa.n
ki taab-e-hijraa.n nadaaram ai jaa.n na lehu kaahe lagaa.e chhatiyaa.n
(Amir Khusro) - sitam-gaziida badan ko ‘Naaqid’ kuchh aisii aadat paRe jafaa ki
na Tiis uTThe shikasta dil me.n na dard zaKhm-o-Kharaash me.n ho
(Naaqid)
Meter 35
Technical Name: Kaamil Musamman Saalim
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: mu-ta-faa-‘i-lun / mu-ta-faa-‘i-lun / mu-ta-faa-‘i-lun / mu-ta-faa-‘i-lun /
Syllable Sequence: - - = – = / - - = – = / - - = – = / - - = – =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 9 couplets
Example:
- wo jo ham me.n tum me.n qaraar tha tumhe.n yaad ho ki na yaad ho
wohi yaani va’ada nibaah ka tumhe.n yaad ho ki na yaad ho
(Momin Khan Momin) - ki natiija khel ka kyaa huaa wahi aglii chaal ka hai madaar
hai shikast par kabhi Khaatima kabhi imtidaad hai zindagii
(Naaqid)
Meter 36
Technical Name: Mutaqaarib Musaddas Muzaa’af Aslam Mahzuuf
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: LIke Behr-e-Mir, multiple variations are possible in this meter. The basic afaa’iil would be f’e-lun / f’e-lun / f’e-lu / f’e-lun / f’e-lun/ f’aa
Syllable Sequence: = (=) / = (=) / = (=) / = (=) /= (=) / = (any even numbered long syllable can be broken into two shorts. Once in while, / = = / can be replaced by / - = – /
Usage: 1 ghazal; 9 couplets
Example:
- jaisaa jiskaa bartan vaisaa us kaa tan
ghaTtii baDhtii gangaa maiyaa allah huu
(Nida Fazli) - Khuu.N Khwaarii kaa daur kahaa.N rahtaa hai sadaa
Garq huaa fir’aun bachaa chanGez nahii.n
(Naaqid)
Meter 37
Technical Name: Mutaqaarib Musamman Aslam Mahzuuf (Maqsuur)
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: LIke Behr-e-Mir, multiple variations are possible in this meter. It is i nfact exactly like the second half of Behr-e-Mir. The basic afaa’iil would be f’e-lun / f’e-lun / f’e-lun / f’aa
Syllable Sequence: = (=) / = (=) / = (=) / = (any even numbered long syllable can be broken into two shorts. Once in while, / = = / can be replaced by / - = – /)
Usage: 1 ghazal; 9 couplets
Example:
- apnii dhun me.n rehta huu.N
mai.n bhii tere jaisa huu.N
(Nasir Kazmi) - mustaqbil kii deg chaRhe
maazii ke uple tuu thaap
(Naaqid)
Meter 38
Technical Name: Munsareh Musamman Matvi Maksuuf
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: muf-ta-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-lun // muf-ta-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: = - - = / = - = // = - - = / = - =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 8 couplets
Example:
- gesuu-o-ruKhsaar-e-yaar aankho.n hi me.n phirte hai.n
‘Miir’ ye lail-o-nahaar dekhiye kab tak rahe
(Mir Taqi Mir) - Thaan agar le bashar kuchh nahii.n mushkil magar
fikr hai mahduud kyuu.N kis ko bhalaa hai Khabar
(Naaqid)
Meter 39
Technical Name: Munsareh Musamman Matvi Manhuur
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: muf-ta-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-laa-tu // muf-ta-‘i-lun / f’e
Syllable Sequence: = - - = / = - = - / = - - = / =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 8 couplets
Example:
- aa ki mirii jaan ko qaraar nahii.n hai
taaqat-e-bedaad-e-intezaar nahii.n hai
(Ghalib) - apni hi sheKhi baghaarne ka chalan hai
sab ki sunii jaaye ye rivaaj nahii.n hai
(Naaqid)
Meter 40
Technical Name: Mujtas Musamman MaKhbuun
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: ma-faa-‘i-lun / fa-‘i-laa-tun / ma-faa-‘i-lun / fa-‘i-laa-tun
Syllable Sequence: - = - = / - - = = /- = - = /- - = =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 6 couplets
Example:
- tum apne shikve ki baate.n na khod khod ke puuchho
hazar karo mire dil se ki us me.n aag dabii hai
(Ghalib) - fareb khaa ki hue talKh-kaam aur ziyaadah
hai lazzat-e-hawas-e-inteqaam aur ziyaadah
(Naaqid)
Meters not frequently used in Urdu poetry:
Meter 41
Technical Name: ‘Ariiz Musamman Saalim
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: ma-faa-‘ii-lun / fa-‘uu-lun // ma-faa-‘ii-lun / fa-‘uu-lun
Syllable Sequence: – = = = / - = = // – = = = / - = =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 15 couplets
Example:
- chale hai.n tuk milaate sabhi ahshaam tere
ki jaise tu Gazal hai ye tere qaafiye hai.n
(Naaqid)
Meter 42
Technical Name: ‘Amiiq Musamman Saalim
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: faa-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-laa-tun // faa-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-laa-tun
Syllable Sequence: = - = / = - = = // = - = / = - = =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 12 couplets
Example:
- waqt-e-ruKhsat uThaaya dard-o-Gam kaa asaasaa
kaash ham chhoR jaate ek ranjish zaraa sii
(Naaqid)
Meter 43
Technical Name: Waafir Musamman Saalim
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: mu-faa-‘i-la-tan / mu-faa-‘i-la-tan / mu-faa-‘i-la-tan / mu-faa-‘i-la-tan
Syllable Sequence: – = - - = / – = - - = / – = - - = / – = - - =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 9 couplets
Example:
- zamaane mein koi aisa nahii.n ki jaisa wo Khuub-ruu hai miraa
na aisi adaa jahaa.N me.n kahii.n na aisi hayaa jahaa.N me.n kahii.n
(Dr. Arif Hasan Khan) - tabiib ‘ilaaj laakh kare shifaa me.n magar wo baat nahii.n
ba-Khair guzar ho sab ne kahaa du’aa me.n magar wo baat nahii.N
(Naaqid)
Meter 44
Technical Name: Jadiid Musaddas MaKhbuun
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: fa-‘i-laa-tun / fa-‘i-laa-tun / ma-faa-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: - - = = / - - = = / - = - =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 9 couplets
Example:
- shab-e-Gam Khwaab dikhaa.ii diye bahut
kabhi to Khwaab ki t’aabiir dekh luu.n
(Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui) - jo na saalim to muzaahif me.n nazm kar
nahi.n ‘Naaqid’ buri bahr-e-jadiid bhi
(Naaqid)
Meter 45
Technical Name: Tawiil Musamman Maqbuuz
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: fa-‘uu-lun / ma-faa-‘i-lun // fa-‘uu-lun / ma-faa-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: - = = / - = - = // - = = / - = - =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 9 couplets
Example:
- udhar se agar huaa ishaara niqaab me.n
unhe.n mai.n ne naam se pukaara jawaab me.n
(Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui) - tabassum chhupaa rahaa hai saKhtii mizaaj ki
hai lahjaa mizaah ka tabii’at matiin hai
(Naaqid)
Meter 46
Technical Name: Qariib Musaddas AKhrab Makfuuf Mahzuuf
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: maf-‘uu-l / ma-faa-‘ii-l / faa-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: = = - / - = = - / = - =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 9 couplets
Example:
- shaadaab chaman ik saraab hai
ye meri hai manzil nahii.n nahii.n
(Kamal Ahmed Siddiqui) - taaq-e-dil-e-tiiraa me.n sham’a-e-ashk
raushan kare naqsh-o-nigaar-e-Gam
(Naaqid)
Meter 47
Technical Name: Muqtazab Musamman Matvi
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: faa-‘i-laa-tu / muf-ta-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-laa-tu / muf-ta-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: = - = - / = - - = // = - = - / = - - =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 6 couplets
Example:
- zindagi hai Khwaab nahii.n sab haqeeqate.n hai.n aham
Gam aham hain unko samajh teri hasrate.n hai.n aham
(Kamal Ahmed Siddiqui) - ‘Naaqid’ is jahaa.N me.n hame.n zindagi kuchh aisi mile
umr-e-jaavidaa.N na sahii waqt-e-Khush qaliil na ho
(Naaqid)
Meter 48
Technical Name: Mushaakil Musaddas Makfuuf Mahzuuf
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: faa-‘i-laa-t / ma-faa-‘ii-l / fa-‘uu-lun
Syllable Sequence: = - = - / - = = - / - = =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 6 couplets
Example:
- ye jahaa.N bhi ga.e dasht bhi ujRaa
yaar log bhi kyaa sabz qadam hai.n
(Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui) - chaa.Ndnii ne baRe daaG diye the
dhuup me.n wo badan Dhaa.Np rahe hai.n
(Naaqid)
Meter 49
Technical Name: Madiid Musamman Saalim
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: fa-‘i-laa-tun / faa-‘i-lun // fa-‘i-laa-tun / faa-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: = - = = / = - = // = - = = / = - =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 6 couplets
Example:
- dil miraa aatish-fishaa.N dekhiye kab tak rahe
mere honto.n par guGaa.N dekhiye kab tak rahe
(Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui) - aap se ‘naaqid’ jale kyuu.N koii ahl-e-suKhan
kyaa liyaa Khud ko samajh aap ne sh’ola navaa
(Naaqid)
Meter 50
Technical Name: Basiit Musamman Saalim
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: mus-taf-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-lun // mus-taf-‘i-lun / faa-‘i-lun
Syllable Sequence: = = - = / = - = // = = - = / = - =
Usage: 1 ghazal; 6 couplets
Example:
- hai kaun zaalim agar chaaho samajh sakte ho
aaKhir ishaara miraa itna bhi mubham nahii.n
(Kamal Ahmed Siddiqui) - ham ahl-e-be-chashm-o-gosh kis par bharosa kare.n
jis ke ‘amal me.n hai chhal yaa jhuuT aqwaal me.n
(Naaqid)
Meters not used or rarely used in Ghazals:
Meter 51
Technical Name: Rubaa’ii (hardly ever used in a ghazal. Among the classical poets, Mir Taqi Mir is the only one who has written a single ghazal in this meter). All rubaa’ii meters are based on Hazaj.
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: 24 different variations are possible in this meter (and they can be used in the same rubaa’ii). The basic afaa’iil can be written as maf-‘uu-l / ma -faa-‘i-lun /ma-faa-‘ii-l / fa-‘al
Syllable Sequence: = = – / – = – = / – = = – / – = (the second foot can be replaced by – = = – ; two consecutive shorts can be replaced by 1 long)
Usage: 2 ghazal; 18 couplets
Example:
- kal sail sa joshaa.N jo idhar aaya ‘Miir’
sab bole ki ye faqiir sailaanii hai
(Mir Taqi Mir) - kuchh bahr-e-rubaa’ii me.n Gazal nazm kare.n
’Naaqid’ diiwaan-e-miir kyaa dekhte hai.n
(Naaqid)
Meter 52
Technical Name: Doha (typically used only as a standalone couplet similar to the matl’aa of a ghazal)
Metrical Feet (Arkaan) and Afaa’iil: The basic meter, although not prevalent in Arabic/Persian/Urdu poetry, can be expressed as f’e-lun / f’e-lun / faa-‘i-lun // f’e-lun / f’e-lun/ f’e
Syllable Sequence: = = / = = / = – = // = = / = = / = – ( a long syllable can be broken into two shorts, and two consecutive longs can be replaced by – = – as long as the change doesn’t impact the rhythm)
Usage: 1 ghazal; 6 couplets
Example:
- wo suufii kaa qaul ho yaa panDit kaa gyaan
jitni biite aap par utnaa hii sach maan
(Nida Fazli) - dharti chhoTii paR rahii asiim hai aakaash
kahaa.N dhare.n ye paa.Nv ham rahe adhar me.n jhuul
(Naaqid)
References:
- Urdu Meter: A Practical Handbook by Frances W. Pritchett & Khaliq Ahmad Khaliq
- A Textbook of Urdu Prosody and Rhetoric by Captain G. D Pybus
- Bah'r: The Backbone of Shaayari by Irfan ‘Abid’
- Ahang Aur Arooz by Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui
- Ilm-e-Arooz: Rekhta Foundation tutorials by Bhatnagar Shadab
- Arooz Ahang aur Bayaan by Shamsur Rehman Faruqi
- A Desertful of Roses: Frances W. Pritchett’s site on Ghalib’s ghazals
- A Garden of Kashmir: Frances W. Pritchett’s site on Mir’s ghazals
- Rekhta
