What are the types of Urdu Poetry (Forms of Urdu Shayari)

If you're an Urdu Poetry Reader, then you should check out this types of Urdu poetry definitive post that will help you to understand the importance of Urdu poetry and how it gained popularity all over South Asia.

Let's get you to know:

Urdu Poetry is a well-known traditional culture in South Asian countries, especially Pakistan and India. South Asians were following Urdu Shayari traditional a long time before, but it gain high popularity in British Raj.

Many well-known and legends Urdu poets were born during this period such as Mirza Ghalib, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Khwaja mir dard, Akbar allahabadi, Mir Anees, Mir Taqi Mir, and Bahadur shah zafar as well.

Top 5 Types of Urdu Poetry

There are many types of poetry in urdu, but for lack of time, we can discuss only the top 5 types of it. So If you want to become an Urdu writer please make sure to read all types completely.

1. Ghazal:

Ghazal can be made up of accepting the rules of Bahar, Qafia, Radeef, Matla, and Maqta. The theme of the ghazal is based on love and the goal of the ghazal is to get talk with the beloved (Mehboob).

Ghazal is a short poem and a collection of couplets (sher) and commonly are consists of five to fifteen couplets. All shers in ghazals are independent but are linked to each other.

Moreover, it is presented in the urdu literature show or program called Mushaira where all urdu poets are shared there own written ghazals or couplets with other peoples.

Example of Ghazal Sher:

Ragon Mein Dorte Phirne Ke Hum Nahi Qail

Jab Aankh Se Hi Na Tapka, Tou Phir Laho Kiya

(Written by Mirza Ghalib)

English Translation:

We are not convinced to run in the veins

When it did not drip from the eye, what is bled

2. Hamd:

The mean of Hamd is complimenting God. In other words, we can say that a poem is written in praise of God.

The word Hamd is derived from the Quran. Muslims write hamd poems to thank God for the blessings of health, wealth, and all others.

Hamd Poems are written in many languages such as Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Punjabi, etc.

Needless to say, Hamd is a big part of Urdu Poetry, and major Urdu poets followed the practice to write hamd.

Example of Hamd Poem:

Har Ik Cheez Tere Hi Hai Gun Gati

Kainaat Ko Namiton Se Sajane Wala Hai Tou

(Written by Amir Imtiaz Amir)

English Translation:

Everything belongs to you

God is the creator of the universe.

3. Nazm:

Nazm poem is the contrast of ghazal poetry. It is commonly in long-form in the words, while ghazal comes to an end after fifteen to twenty couplets. It is the major part of Urdu poetry. In simple words, all things written in Urdu poetry come in one of the forms of nazm.

Doha, Geet, Hamd, Ghazal, Kafi, Marsia, Naat, Noha, Qawwali, Sehra, and Tarana are good examples of Urdu nazms.

The focus of nazm is a wide range of topics, most things can be covered in the nazm, while ghazal heavily focused on love rather than anything.

There is no restriction to write nazm, the poet can write nazm as type as he wants. A Poet does not need to follow any rules in the preparation of the nazm. He has the full right to write as he wants.

Example of Nazm Poem:

Kab Se Beitha Hoon Mein Jaanam Sada Kagaz Pah Likh Ke Naam Tera

Bas Tera Naam Hi Mukamal Hai, Is Se Behtar Bhi Nazm Kya Hogi

(Written by Gulzar)

English Translation:

I have been sitting there for while by writing your name on plain paper

Only your name is complete, What better poem could there be?

4. Marsiya:

Marsiya is a type of Urdu Poetry that written principally in praise of Imam Hussain Ibn Ali the grandson of the Prophet and his family members who died at the Battle of Karbala. It is an elegiac poem written to mourn the death of a great man.

The purpose of marsiya is to describe descriptivily the battle fought on the plains of Karbala by Hazrat Imam Husain against the army of Yazid.

Example of Marsiya:

Girad Hai Akseer, Khak-e-Karbala Ke Samne

Zard Miti Ki Haqeeqat Kya, Tala Ke Samne

(Written by Meer Anees)

English Translation:

There is a lot of dust in front of Karbala's Dust

What is the reality of yellow clay? In front of the Gold

5. Naat:

Naat is a poem written in praise of the Islamic Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The word Naat is derived from the Arabic language that means praise. But in Urdu Naat means the praise of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).

The practice is followed in many well-known South Asian countries that include Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh as well and is written in many South Asian languages such as Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, etc.

Example of Naat:

Ki Muhammad Se Wafa Tou Ne To Hum Tere Hain

Yahan Jahan Cheez Hai Kya Loh Wa Qalam Tere Hain

English Translation:

Do Loyalty to Muhammad, we are yours

The World is Nothing, The tablet and the pen are yours

Conclusion:

There are many other types or forms of Urdu poetry such as Qasida, Rubaiyat, Seharaa, Qawaalli, Munaajaat, etc that we're unable to discuss because of a shortage of time. Now it's time to hear from you which Urdu poetry type is best to read in your opinion, let me know in the comment box and if you want to know more about Urdu Shayari types please check out this site.