They say that variety is the spice of life, but how often do we find variety to help us get rid of the monotony? Hardly.  'Zaaiqa' means taste. So, to find some respite in mundane day-to-day activities, and to add some 'taste' to an otherwise boring life, it is advised to be as innovative as one can be. Tune in and learn a tip or two from poets who tell us what 'zaiqa' stands for them. 

Urdunama

'Zaiqa' of Life in Urdu Poetry and the Power of Taste

'Ruswai' or the theme of 'disgrace in love' has often been the extent to which a poet can go to prove the beloved, his loyalty. Tune in as we read poets like Kafeel Azaar Amrohvi, Gulzar, Arzoo Lakhnavi, among others. 

Love, Poetry & Reasons That Bring 'Ruswai' to the Shayar

Fools do rush in but that's what most of us do when hopelessly in love.  But in this episode we don't essentially look at the fools or 'ahmaqs' who fall in love, but what it is that one does to be qualified as a fool. Tune in as we read Saghar Khayyami's nazm, 'Alauddin ka Tarbooz' and Ahmad Hatib Siddiqui's nazm, 'Kaen Kaen Kawwa Ten Ten Mitthu'. 

April Fools Day Special: Urdu Poetry And The World of 'Ahmaq'

In this episode, we explore the significance of the Urdu word 'jawani,' meaning 'youth,' in poetry and how poets use it to emphasize the importance of cherishing and celebrating the vitality of life. The concept of jawani is often used as a metaphor for the pursuit of happiness and staying young at heart, with poets highlighting the fleeting nature of youth and how its spirit can help us overcome life's challenges. Through an exploration of the works of great shayars, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of jawani in Urdu poetry. Tune in!

Secrets from Urdu Poetry to Understand 'Jawani'

Haqeeqat means reality, or truth. It is also referred to as something's or someone's state or current condition. However, the theme of reality can be explored through the poems that lay emphasis on making peace with the displeasure that comes with knowing the haqeeqat of a beloved's heart, their eyes, or even the poet's life, itself.   Tune in as Fabeha Syed reads Ghalib among other poets like Muneer Niyazi, Mohsin Naqvi, and Javed Akhtar.

Power of Imagination in Embracing the 'Haqeeqat' of Life

Our dreams shape our reality. But it takes a hell lot of hard work, courage, and persistence for our dreams to become reality.  Tune in as Fabeha Syed explores through the works of Nida Fazli, Qateel Shifai, and Parveen Shakir, among others. 

'Khwaab' & Poetry: Manifesting Your Goals? Dream Big.

Get ready to wake up early, switch off Instagram, and stock up on extra coffee packets, because exam season is approaching. While writing this episode, memories of my student life came back to haunt me. I'm glad I don't have to write any exams this year. But you know what, the 'imtihaan' of life is never-ending. In this episode of Urdunama, I talk about the preparation tactics of great professors like Jaun Elia, Allama Iqbal, and Javed Akhtar. Tune in!

Lessons from Urdu Poetry to Prepare for the 'Imtihaan' of Life

If you have followed Urdunama so far, you must have figured by now the reasons for the shayar's angst and joy. It is usually the masla-e-hijr-o-visaal-e-yaar meaning the problems of separation and union with the beloved, that keeps the poet up at night and worries about his future with the one he feels to be in love with.  This desire of meeting the beloved sometimes gives him hope, but more often that not, it also takes that away from him.  Tune in as Fabeha Syed reads some gems by Mirza Ghalib, Amjad Islam Amjad, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, and others, and explores the different emotions these poets go through while writing about 'visaal'.

Stages of Love Part 4: 'Visaal' or ‘Milan’ the Shayar Pines For

'Hijr' meaning separation, distance, judaai , is an ultimate nightmare for the shayar in Urdu poetry. In the four part series on the stages of love, Fabeha Syed explores the sufferings and pains induced by the separation-anxiety that the poet goes through. Tune in and find out why '...doori sahi jaaye na..'

Stages of Love Part 3: 'Hijr' and Separation Anxiety in Urdu Poetry

The word 'Kashish' means attraction. The world of Urdu poetry looks at the art of attraction in different ways, from Wasim Barelvi to Sahir Ludhianvi to modern lyricists like Sameer, everyone has a unique way of understanding attraction.  February is considered to be the month of love. So, we decided to look at different stages of love in this 4-part series. In the previous episode about 'Nazar', the Shayar set his eyes on their beloved. Listen to this episode of Urdunama, where Fabeha talks about the feeling of being charmed by someone, and find out if this Kashish will fulfill itself.

Stages of Love Part 2: The Art of 'Kashish' in Urdu Poetry

'Nazar ke saame, jigar ke paas...' 'Pehli Nazar mei, aisa jaadu kar diya...' 'Akele na bazaar jaaya karo, Nazar lag jaaegi...' The idea of 'Nazar' is one of the most extensively used concepts in Bollywood songs. Nazar can mean vision, but it can also represent an opinion or an evil eye. February is considered to be the month of love. So, we decided to look at the different stages of love in a four-part series. Tune in to this episode of Urdunama, where Fabeha talks about 'Nazar' and decodes Kaifi Azmi, Sahir Ludhianvi, and Mirza Ghalib. 

Stages of Love Part 1 : The First Step of Love, 'Nazar'

Watan, meaning a country, also means home, a place of residence. In Urdu poetry, nazms like 'Bachhe ki dua', and 'Parinde ki Fariyad', beautifully capture 'Watan' as an emotion. Tune in as Fabeha Syed reads Allama Iqbal and Bismil Azeemabadi who fondly write about what Watan stands for them.  

What Is 'Watan' For You - A Border, Piece of Land, or Emotion?

Qala's mesmerizing 'Shauq', written by Varun Grover is our song of the moment, because it points out the very need for various 'shauq', meaning desires and passions, in our lives. However, it also poses a question - are our desires killing us or building us?  In this episode of Urdunama, Fabeha Syed reads poets like Parveen Shakir, Faiz, and Sahir, among others, who help us figure out what our 'shauq' in our life could be. 

Kya Aapko Bhi Urdu Poetry Ka 'Shauq' Hai?

The movie and the soundtrack of Netflix's Qala is one to be counted among the OTT's finest productions. But what does the word 'qala' mean? When pronounced as kala which means art, it becomes an instant association as the movie is about art.  Qala, however, has its origins in Arabic which means a fortress or a castle which in Hindustani is called qila. With Amit Trivedi's painfully haunting soundtrack underlying the brilliant wallpaper-like cinematography by Siddharth Divan, the movie is a sure treat for the eyes. We picked out two songs from the film for our lessons in Urdu this week. Tune in as Fabeha Syed explores the themes of inkaar and iqraar.

Taking Notes On 'Ghodey Pe Sawaar', Inkaar in 'Qala'

New year parties have always been a thing, and they should be so. In this new year special episode we try to figure out the degree of 'khumaar' that can hurt, and how much of that intoxication won't. Tune in as Fabeha Syed explores the 'khumaar' of Urdu poetry and some of its forms that are needed in matters of love and life. Enjoy and have safe fun. 

New Year 2023: How to Party Hard & Keep the 'Khumaar' in Check

Bollywood tunes make compulsive hummers out of us. But wait, do you know the meaning of every word you hum? Especially the ones in Urdu? Urdunama, with @FabehaSyed, takes one word at a time and we slice and dice it for you.

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