Dimensions of Urdu Poetry

“Every age has its own poetry; in every age the circumstances of history choose a nation, a race, a class to take up the torch by creating situations that can be expressed or transcended only through poetry. “
Jean-Paul Sartre
Urdu is a centuries old language. The soldiers invented it yet it has a royal touch, for the royals took special interest in developing it. Experiencing the different dimensions of Urdu poetry is a phenomenal experience, for it is so rich in culture, diction, ideas, and expression.
This article explores five significant dimensions of the Urdu poetry.
1. Love and romance
No language or its literature can survive with the sweet love stories. Without romance, love, sensitivity, and fantasy, life would become too dull to live. When it comes to Urdu poetry, the love ballads are narrated at their best. Some famous romantic Urdu poets are Akhtar Shirani, Sager Siddique, and Ahmed Faraz.
Some early Urdu poets also wrote about stubborn, unconvinced lovers. Such poets include Mir Taqi Mir, Hasrat Mohani, and Mir Dard.
2. Social Issues
Many sensitive individuals highlighted several different poignant social issues through their poetry. These geniuses include Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Habib Jalib, Sahir Ludhyanwi and many others. These poets used their poetry to condemn dictatorship, the Fall of Dhaka, and the injustice in the society.
For example, a verse of Allama Iqbal says,
“Jis khet se kisan ko mayasir ho na rozi
Us khet k her khosa e gandum ko jala do”
3. Fight for freedom
The fight for freedom too was fueled by the Urdu poetry. Along with many others, Allama Iqbal played a great role in it. It is no wonder that he is the national poet of Pakistan. Allama Iqbal was famous for he made the Muslims realize their lost glory and to fight against the outsiders in their land.
4. Religion
Urdu poetry has a specific form called Marsia. A Marsia is a poem to express grief on the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A), his disciples and his family. Mir Anees was one of the most famous Marsia writers. Other than the Marsia, Urdu poetry is also defined by a vast collection of Hamd and Naat.
Other than this, many poets tried their best to highlight the aspects of incorporating religion into life through their poetry.
5. Ethics and morals
Many Urdu poets put a strong emphasis on the ethical values and morals among the humanity. Akbar Illahbadi and Maulana Hali are two prominent poets of this domain. Another one is none other than Allama Iqbal. For example, Allama Iqbal once said,
“Sabaq phir parh sadaqat ka, adalat ka, shujahat ka
Liya jay ga tuj sey kaam duniya ki immamat ka”
There are many other verses in the Urdu poetry in which truthfulness, honesty, courage and lawfulness is stressed.
The above-mentioned five dimensions of the Urdu poetry have shaped it to what it is today. It can be safely stated that Urdu poetry is standing on strong foundations today. If the poets of today are as brilliant as yesterday, nothing can stop Urdu from flourishing.