Urdunama

In this episode of Urdunama we take a look at what is Muhim meaning campaign and what are the thoughts of some of the Urdu poets about these campaigns. Tune in.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Urdunama we see how it's the gratitude that helps us hold onto the good things in life. In Urdu poetry, Ismail Merathi tells us that we can be thankful for anything, even a cow. Tune in as The Quint's Fabeha Syed reads Merathi's 'Humari Gayein', Andaleeb Shadani's 'der lagi aane mein tumko..' among other ashaar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

French philosopher René Descartes's famous phrase 'cogito ergo sum' - I think, therefore, I 'am; resonates with every thinking and reasoning mind. And it's thinking that makes us analyse and bring our reflexive and contemplative skills to the fore. This in turn draws us so much closer to what we consider true, that we would even prove any conflicting view to our version of truth, wrong. And it is...

Mukarrar meaning repeat is a word that people often use as a response to praise poetry, or any spoken words.  In this episode we explore what it is that poets wish to repeat or stop at once.  Tune in.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we explore the idea of rebellion or 'sarkashi', in Urdu poetry.  Tune in as The Quint's Fabeha Syed reads Ali Sardar Jafri, Asrar ul Haq Majaz, and others to understand what makes them go against the grain.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mubarak meaning auspicious, and this should be the way to usher in the start of a new year. This word has often been used in Urdu poetry as a way of taunting. For instance, Shakeel Badayuni's sher is complaining about the lover's oblivion. Ye ada-e-be-niyaazi tujhe bewafa mubaarak Magar aisi be-rukhi kya ki salaam tak na pahunche Tune in, as we explore more such ways through which the poets have e...

'Maseeha' which means a saviour of a tribe who leads towards liberation, is often used for someone who can heal. Jesus Christ is called 'Maseeha' for his healing powers not only in Christianity but in all the Abrahamic religions such as Islam and Judaism. In Urdu poetry, there are many references to the healing powers of Jesus Christ. And it is the beloved who is referred to as 'Maseeha Nafas' mea...

It is said that don't keep waiting for things; instead, make them happen. But then it is also believed that good things come to those who wait. What is it that one should do? 'Muntazir' means the state of waiting for something or someone. In Urdu poetry, the subject of poets' wait is often the lover, and shayar's ultimate fantasy is the moment of 'vasl' or union with him. The delay in vasl is the...

In this episode we look at how poets have written about their 'umeed' meaning hope.  Tune in.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Ibtida' means a beginning and 'inteha' means ending of something after having reached an extent. The beginning could be of a relationship, or of an activity. And, since every bigining is a start of an effort, 'ibtida' holds a special place in Urdu poetry that brings hope and comfort to our hearts. In this episode, The Quint's Fabeha Syed explores how to find those ends in which a new 'ibtida' can...

Philosophers have always argued about time and have viewed it with different theories. Poets, on the other hand, have made the time the essence of their work and worries.  When stuck in the past, it is the 'maazi' that the poet lives in his poetry. When hoping for a beautiful future, the poets are usually dreaming about the union or 'visaal' with their beloved. But, the present is what makes the p...

'Aaloodgi' meaning pollution, is a huge concern of worry for the not just the shayar but everyone. However, in poetry, pollution of any form stands for corruption, absence of lover, a great discomfort, or any negative emotion.  In this episode of Urdunama, we explore how pollution has caused distress to poets like Amjad Islam Amjad and Anand Narayan Mulla, among others.  Tune in.  Learn more about...

Philosophers, scientists, thinkers, have been trying to understand the secrets of the universe through the various disciplines of inquiry.  Universe, they tell, is all about energy, time and matter. Once we internalise this belief, the universe then moves quickly as we decide. But, how? To understand this, we explore through Urdu poetry, what does 'kainaat' mean to poets and how they see the unive...

'Raunaq' means lustre or glow. In this episode we understand what is 'raunaq' for poets and how some of the Urdu poetry has thrown light on theme like glow of anyone's presence, of truth, of love, and so on. When 'raunaq' spreads in our lives through all of these things, it enhances the quality of life. But, when the same 'raunaq' is found on a certain food, why it is then considered  considered b...

In this special episode of Urdunama, The Quint's Fabeha Syed decodes the theme of riwaaj meaning customs, through Urdu poetry. Poets have often commented over the riwaaj of corruption and social injustice. For this, Fabeha picks out Kaifi Azmi’s Taj Mahal and explains the poets POV. And for the riwaaj  of our syncretic culture, the host reads Urdu classical poet, Nazeer Akbarabadi whose work is a...

In this episode we explore what leads to a 'gunaah' or a sin. And how poets have expressed about what tempts them.  Tune in.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tune in as The Quint pays a musical tribute to the King of Ghazal, Jagjit Singh.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Watan ka Raag' by Urdu poet, Pandit Brij Narayan Chakbast, and 'Mahatma Gandhi Ka Qatl' by Anand Narain Mulla. These two poems best describe the impact Gandhi had on Urdu poets of that time. Through these powerful nazms, various themes of Gandhi's philosophy come alive, only if we pay close attention to what Gandhi stood for.  Tune in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

In this episode, we explore the many meanings and contexts of the word, 'Gulshan'. But before that, why don't you first think of your happy place?  Tune in, to find out the relevance of a 'happy place' and 'gulshan'. Host, producer and audio editor: Fabeha Syed Editor: Shelly Walia Music: Big Bang Fuzz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we celebrate India's 75th Independence Day, we reflect on what it truly means to be free.  In this episode, we understand the theme of freedom - 'Azaadi', through the poems of Ali Sardar Jafri, Firaq Gorakhouri, and Faiz Ahmad Faiz.  Tune in.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we talk about the theme of victory through literature and poetry.  Tune in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tune in as The Quint's Fabeha Syed pays a musical tribute to the man with a honey-laced voice.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, tune in to find out the meaning of 'Tahayyur', and what amazes the poets that they commit themselves to poetry.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The word 'Saaqi' meaning the bartender, or someone who serves alcohol, is often been used by poets in different ways. For instance, in this ghazal by Jigar Moradabadi, the word 'Saaqi' is used to describe a leader or 'imam': ye hai mai-kada yahan rind hai yahan sab ka saaqi imaam hai ye haram nahin hai ai shaiḳh ji yahan paarsai haraam hai In this week's episode of Urdunama, we understand the them...

In this episode, we explore the many meanings of having a 'voice', and using it for those who either don't have it or are often silenced by those in power.  To make this podcast, we found it vital to refer to the poetry of stalwarts like Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Sahir Ludhianvi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, and Jaun Elia among others.  Tune in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices