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Although Urdu Poetry is a very intricate subject that manifests itself in many different forms, there are certain basic ingredients that characterize every Urdu poem. We will now take a look at how a basic Urdu poem is structured and familiarize ourselves with some of its basic ingredients.

In Urdu Poetry, a poem usually takes the form of a ghazal. A ghazal is a collection of multiple couplets, called “ashaar”, that adhere to the rules of “bahar”, “radeef”, “matla”, “maqta”, and “qafiya”. Each couplet, or “sher” expresses a single thought and can stand alone. To understand how the typical Urdu poem is structured, it is vital that you understand what each of these five terms refer to.

Bahar. In Urdu Poetry, “bahar” refers to the meter, or length, of a couplet. Each line of a couplet must have the same bahar as the other. In addition, every single couplet in a ghazal must have the same bahar. Urdu Poetry uses 19 different types of bahar which can be classified into short, medium, and long meters.

Radeef. Radeef in Urdu Poetry refers to the same word or phrase that is repeated at the end of the second line of every couplet. Keep in mind that the radeef are always the exact, same words for every ghazal.

Matla. Matla in Urdu Poetry refers to the first couplet in a ghazal. Both lines of a ghazal’s matla must end in the radeef.

Maqta. Traditionally, poets of Urdu Poetry usually use pen names which are called Takhallus. The takhallus is usually incorporated into the last couplet of the poem as a sort of signature. The last couplet of a ghazal that contains the takhallus is called the “maqta”.
Qafiya. The “qafiya” refers to the rhyming pattern that is used just before the radeef at the end of every couplet. The qafiya is necessary to the function of every Urdu poem, even when the other rules are not adhered to.

Now that you know what each of the five terms refer to, we turn our attention to how they govern an Urdu poem’s structure. First, every couplet of a ghazal will have a completely different theme from all the other couplets in the same ghazal. Second, all the couplets of a ghazal must have the same bahar. Every single couplet in a ghazal must also end in the same radeef and use the same qafiya. Every Urdu poem has a matla but some may not have a maqta.

Like with most rules, there are also a number of exceptions:

• There are some ghazals that do not contain radeef.

• Sometimes, the ashaar of a ghazal will have the same theme.

• Modern Urdu Poetry is much less restrictive with the use of bahar than in the past.

If you are feeling a little confused, know that that is absolutely normal. It is completely understandable if you don’t get it the first time you read it. Take a deep breath a try to slowly digest the information. It really is a lot easier than you think

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The beginnings of Urdu poetry can be traced as far back as the 13th century, when some poets of in the north of India started experimenting with the style. But the classic form of Urdu poetry that we modern humans have come to know did not really take on a final shape until the 17th century, when Urdu became the official language of the court in the Indian subcontinent.

Urdu poetry gained immense popularity in the 18th century when Urdu replaced Persian as the major language of the region. Urdu poetry has its linguistic roots etched in Persian, Turkish, and Arabic, and this colourful mix of cultural and linguistic conventions was one of the reasons why it came to be loved by so many people in the Indian subcontinent.

In the 18th century, there was a scarcity of newspaper, media, and public information, so Urdu poetry became a way for people to communicate with each other about the social and political woes of the time. One of the most common forms of this communication was called a “Mushaira”, which was a social event where poets gathered to read their works to the audience. The Urdu poetry that was read at these Mushairas adhered to very strict rules of rhythm that were often determined before the event took place. They were sometime also competitive, much like the competitions that were held in the ancient Greek and Roman empires.

At every Mushaira, there was a main, or presiding poet who was usually the most appreciated and honourable poet at the gathering. In the Mushairas of the 18th century, a candle would be passed from the lowest ranking Urdu poet at the gathering to the presiding poet as a sign of respect. Urdu poetry became a highly esteemed art and members of royalty often sought the company of famous poets.

At so it is that the 18th century produced some of the most fascinating works of Urdu poetry. However, many of the most valuable poems of the time were lost because a poet’s works were only published after he achieved fame. With a striking similarity to the world of painted art, many of the most cherished works of a revered Urdu poet were only published several years after his death. The poems of Nazir, perhaps the greatest Urdu poet that ever lived, were only published 80 years after he died.

The study of Urdu poetry’s history is an amazing journey that is full of intrigue for the interested reader. But perhaps the most amazing thing about Urdu poetry is the way it continues to thrive as an art and a form of expression today. In line with the advent of internet, several online Urdu poetry communities have established themselves in cyberspace. Some of these include a Shayari portal of famous poets, an Urdu Poet forum and community, and a website that allows you to download Mushaira audio and video. Today’s fans of Urdu poetry come from many different parts of the world, and the art has received international recognition from some of the most respected literary figures of modern times.

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Every poem of Urdu poetry is unique and unequalled, but as all genres of literature Urdu poetry also has it scruples and principles and every Urdu poem has basic ingredients which are essential.  So, let’s find out what these ingredients and principles are.

The form of each Urdu poem is called ghazal. Ghazal is a collection of many couplets, called ashaar. Each couplet called sher expresses certain though which is different from thought in other couplet. Each Urdu poem also contains the following components: bahar, radeef, matla, maqta, and qafiya. Here are meanings of above mentioned terms:

Bahar – is a meter or length of the couplet. Each line of the couplet must have the same bahar. There are 19 types of bahar and they can be short, medium or long ones.

Radeef – is a word or phrase which is repeated in the end of second line of each couplet. Redeef must be the same all the time within the poem.

Malta – is referred to the first couplet of ghazal.

Maqta – usuaaly Urdu poets wrote their works using definite pen-name which is called Takhallus. They included this Takhallus in the last couplet of the poem; it was something like a signature. So, the last couplet with Takhallus is called maqta.

Qafiya – is a rhyming patters used before radeef in the end of every couplet.

 In modem Urdu poems the usage of all rules is not so strict and some departures are possible. But it is necessary to remember the main rules – every couplet has different theme, every couplet should have the same bahar, every couplet has radeef, malta but may not have maqta.