Tag : Urdu

Dilli is a generic and archetypal name for a city of many fates and fortunes. It has been called variously and treated unevenly. There are many tales of power-play and politics behind each name it got during the course of its grand survival from period to period. Whatever incarnation it acquired through different periods of its history, Dilli served as a dehleez, or an entrance for many rulers—the Sultanas, the Mughals, the Marathas, and the British. Dilli has been a seat of political power through ages; a base of literary cultures through eons, especially since the Medieval period of Indian history. While it offered a stage for rehearsing the onslaughts of rulers, it gave its people a way with language and a hug with culture. The language it nourished came to be known as Urdu; the culture it established came to be associated with a way of life and letters. The patterns of Dilli’s grand existence and impressive survival changed with time. With time, Dilli acquired a comprehensive identity of its own kind. As it transformed itself from age to age, so did its locational and cultural icons. Its architectural wonders--Quwat-ul-Islam and Jama Masjid--found yet other manifestations in Akshardham and Bahai temples; its Grand Trunk Road gave way to National Highways. Its older icons--Qutub Minar, Old Fort, and Red Fort--stood re-imagined as India Gate, Parliament House, and President House; its bazaars of the earlier periods got succeeded by Dilli Haat and Trade Fairs. Its Phool Walon Ki Sair manifested itself afresh into Crafts festivals; its Diwan-e-Khas got a makeover as India Habitat Centre. Some state of the art icons--Garden of Five Senses and Hauz Khas Village--stand as the modern days’ re-configured marvels of cultural transformation.

Dilli jo aik shehr hai

Kaun jaaye Zauq par Dilli ki galiyaan chod kar

By Anisur Rahman May 3, 2018
We have said it all Nothing left to say Let’s go for a drink The night is here to stay

Abhi Raat Kuch Hai Baaqi

Poets have often represented night- now as an image, now as a metaphor, now as a symbol. And the way Urdu poets signify different dimensions of the night will definitely leave you spellbound. Here we present a constellation of seven couplets from the mesmerising galaxy of Urdu poetry.

By Faisal Fehmi April 26, 2018
Ai mohabbat tere anjaam pe rona aaya Jaane kyun aaj tere naam pe rona aaya

Shakeel Badayuni: Poet as lyricist; lyricist as poet!

A ghazal aficionado, Shakeel Badayuni developed a dialogue with life in all its romantic glory and grandeur

By Anisur Rahman April 20, 2018
Husn-e-Jaana ki tareef mumkin nahi

Husn-e-Jaana Ki Tareef Mumkin Nahin

When it comes to praising the glory of your beloved, poetry always comes handy.

By Faisal Fehmi April 15, 2018
Reh Gaya Kaam Hamara Hi Bhaghawat Likhna

Reh Gaya Kaam Hamara Hi Baghawat Likhna

Habib Jalib is considered one of the most valiant and high-spirited persons of his times. He pulled the masks off the faces of the tyrant rulers and showcased their real faces to the people which he considered to be his real engagement.

By Anisur Rahman March 24, 2018

Archives

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Twitter Feeds

Facebook Feeds

join rekhta family!

Sign up and enjoy FREE unlimited access to a whole Universe of Urdu Poetry, Language Learning, Sufi Mysticism, Rare Texts

LOG IN REGISTER