Meaning of Ghazal songs: Best of Mirza Ghalib

by TheSufi · Published 3rd July 2022 · Updated 3rd July 2022

Meaning of Ghazal songs: Best of Mirza Ghalib

The word ghazal in Urdu, as far etymology is concerned, is derived from gazelle [doe-deer]. Gazelle symbolized many features, which the ghazal poetry manifests, a few below:

Beauty

Ghazal poetry is often about admiring the beauty of beloved. Among animal kingdom, gazelle is also synonymous to beauty. Often the beauty of beloved’s eyes is compared with that of eyes of a female deer [hirni jaisi ankhein].

Wildness

Gazelle is a free spirited animal and ghazal verses are also reflection of the freedom of expression and love. Ghazal belongs to the era of conservatism and it gave poets and people to express their love, affection and sentiments by using the best of linguistics, art and culture.

Melancholy

According to Urdu historic, gazelle when hunted by a predator expresses her loss with woe and tears. Such expression of grief aligns with ghazals, which are expression of grief due to lost love, solitude and depression.

mirza ghalib

TheSufi.com has compiled the best Ghazal of Mirza Ghalib, probably the most loved classical poet of Urdu along with Mir Taqi Mir.

Ghalib’s master over Urdu verse was truly extraordinary, with his choice of words immaculate and lucid than his peers. He lived in the time of legendary poets such as Momin Khan Momin, yet with ghazals like Aah Ko Chahiye Ik Umr Asar and Hazaaron Khwahisien Aisi made him a household name at the Mughal era and raised his profile at the Mughal court also.

It is fair to say that Jagjit Singh is the ‘voice’ of Mirza Ghalib, as he rendition of Mirza Ghalib’s ghazal as part of Gulzar’s masterpiece Mirza Ghalib drama revived the popularity of his poetry. Mirza Ghalib’s verses had almost become extinct for common man, but with Mirza Ghalib drama and excellent music compositions by Jagjit Singh, such kalam became a part of mainstream.