Friday, August 13, 2021

Metrical Analysis of My Poems (Part 2)

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:

  1. phir mujhe diidah-e-tar yaad aayaa
    dil jigar-tishnah-e-faryaad aaya
    (Ghalib)
  2. 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:

  1. kahaa mai.n ne kitna hai gul kaa sabaat
    kalii ne ye sun kar tabassum kiyaa
    (Mir Taqi Mir)
  2. 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:

  1. 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)
  2. 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:

  1. jhoomtii chalii hawaa yaad aa gayaa koii
    bujhtii bujhtii aag ko phir jalaa gayaa koii
    (Shailendra, Film: Sangeet samrat Tansen)
  2. 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:

  1. aaj sochaa to aa.Nsuu bhar aaye
    muddate.n ho gaii.n muskuraaye
    (Kaifi Azmi, Film: Hanste Zakhm)
  2. 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:

  1. 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)
  2. 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:

  1. aap kii yaad aatii rahii raat bhar
    chashm-e-nam muskuraatii rahii raat bhar
    (Shahryar; Film: Gaman)
  2. 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:

  1. ye na thii hamaarii qismat ki visaal-e-yaar hota
    agar aur jiite rehte yahii intezaar hota
    (Ghalib)
  2. 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:

  1. Khaali na chhoRe.nge ham apni jagah
    gar yahi ronaa hai to bhar jaae.nge
    (Mir Taqi Mir)
  2. 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:

  1. 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)   
  2. 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:

  1. 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)
  2. 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:

  1. jaisaa jiskaa bartan vaisaa us kaa tan
    ghaTtii baDhtii gangaa maiyaa allah huu
    (Nida Fazli)
  2. 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:

  1. apnii dhun me.n rehta huu.N
    mai.n bhii tere jaisa huu.N
    (Nasir Kazmi)
  2. 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:

  1. 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)
  2. 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:

  1. aa ki mirii jaan ko qaraar nahii.n hai
    taaqat-e-bedaad-e-intezaar nahii.n hai
    (Ghalib)
  2. 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:

  1. tum apne shikve ki baate.n na khod khod ke puuchho     
    hazar karo mire dil se ki us me.n aag dabii hai
    (Ghalib)
  2. 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:  

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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)
  2. 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:  

  1. shab-e-Gam Khwaab dikhaa.ii diye bahut
    kabhi to Khwaab ki t’aabiir dekh luu.n
    (Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui)
  2. 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:

  1. udhar se agar huaa ishaara niqaab me.n
    unhe.n mai.n ne naam se pukaara jawaab me.n
    (Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui)
  2. 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:

  1. shaadaab chaman ik saraab hai
    ye meri hai manzil nahii.n nahii.n     
    (Kamal Ahmed Siddiqui)
  2. 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:

  1. 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)
  2. ‘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:  

  1. ye jahaa.N bhi ga.e dasht bhi ujRaa
    yaar log bhi kyaa sabz qadam hai.n
    (Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui)
  2. 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:

  1. dil miraa aatish-fishaa.N dekhiye kab tak rahe
    mere honto.n par guGaa.N dekhiye kab tak rahe
    (Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui)
  2. 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:

  1. hai kaun zaalim agar chaaho samajh sakte ho
    aaKhir ishaara miraa itna bhi mubham nahii.n
    (Kamal Ahmed Siddiqui)
  2. 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:  

  1. kal sail sa joshaa.N jo idhar aaya ‘Miir’ 
    sab bole ki ye faqiir sailaanii hai
    (Mir Taqi Mir)
  2. 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:

  1. wo suufii kaa qaul ho yaa panDit kaa gyaan
    jitni biite aap par utnaa hii sach maan
    (Nida Fazli)
  2. dharti chhoTii paR rahii asiim hai aakaash
    kahaa.N dhare.n ye paa.Nv ham rahe adhar me.n jhuul
    (Naaqid)

References:

  1. Urdu Meter: A Practical Handbook by Frances W. Pritchett & Khaliq Ahmad Khaliq
  2. A Textbook of Urdu Prosody and Rhetoric by Captain G. D Pybus
  3. Bah'r: The Backbone of Shaayari by Irfan ‘Abid’
  4. Ahang Aur Arooz by Kamal Ahmad Siddiqui
  5. Ilm-e-Arooz: Rekhta Foundation tutorials  by Bhatnagar Shadab
  6. Arooz Ahang aur Bayaan by Shamsur Rehman Faruqi
  7. A Desertful of Roses: Frances W. Pritchett’s site on Ghalib’s ghazals
  8. A Garden of Kashmir: Frances W. Pritchett’s site on Mir’s ghazals
  9. Rekhta
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2 comments:

  1. Naresh8:54 PM

    I am so impressed by your research on this topic. This, and the other article, deserves a regular paper in some suitable journal. Though a philistine like me could gather only a part of it in terms of technicalities, it didn't deter me a bit from reading it full. That, I also managed to read some of your lovely poetry in the process, was a cherry.

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    Replies
    1. Aditya Pant9:07 AM

      Thanks, Naresh. Since this has been a passion, I have really enjoyed researching and experimenting with meters. I tried to avoid technicalities as much as possible, but some of it was inevitable.

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