Key Vocab
Bonus Vocab
Concepts
Themes Characters
Misc.
100
A single two-line verse (couplet) that functions independently but is featured in a string in a ghazal.
What is a "She'r" (شعر)?
100
Meter/prosody
What is Behr (بحر) ?
100
“theme”; What is the poem about?
What is the Mazmūn (مزمون)?
100
Love
What is the main theme of Ghazal poetry?
100
Exclamation of appreciation
What is "VAAH!"
200
A self-chosen pen name with poetic or personal meaning.
What is a "Takhallus" تخلص
200
A formal or informal assembly of poets and poet-connoisseurs in which poetry (including ghazals) are presented and appreciated.
What is a Mushā’irah (مشاعرہ) ?
200
“meaning”; What does the poem say
What is the Ma’nī (معنی)?
200
The main type of love in Urdu Poetry.
What is unrequited love?
200
English "equivalent" of the Ghazal
What is a sonnet?
300
The end-refrain. The word(s) that end each two-line verse (she’r).
What is the Radīf (ردیف)?
300
Master poet
What is an Ustād (استاد)?
300
The Lover
What is the ‘Ashiq (عاشق)?
300
Landscapes commonly used in a Ghazal
What is garden, festive gathering, tavern?
300
One of two famous poets; we will read him next week
Who is Mir Taqi "Mir"?
400
Special introductory verse. The radif and the qafiyah feature in both lines of this she’r.
What is Matla’ (مطلع)?
400
Student of poetry
What is Shāgird (شاگرد)?
400
The Beloved
What is the Ma’shūq (معشوق)?
400
Imagery commonly used in a Ghazal
What is flame, candle, moth, rose, wine?
400
What is each line of a she'r called?
What is a bayt?
500
The rhyme. Occurs immediately before the radif.
What is the Qāfiyah (قافیہ)?
500
The manner of reciting a poem in the form of a song
What is "tarannum"?
500
The lover’s rival
What is the Raqib?
500
The best she'r in ghazal or presentation of ghazals.
What is husn-e ghazal/bait-e ghazal?
500
Famous American public figure who developed a love of Ghazal in college.
Who is President Obama?
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