Introducing Ghazal: A Symphony of Couplets

[Julie]

Introducing Ghazal: A Symphony of Couplets

The Ghazal is a poetic form that originated in 7th-century Arabia and later became an integral part of Persian, Urdu, and Indian literature. Almost 99 % of the poets, including such names as Hafiz ans Mirza Ghalib have composed Ghazals. It is a lyrical form celebrated for its emotive depth, musicality, and structural beauty. Traditionally, the Ghazal explores themes like love, longing, loss, and spirituality, though modern Ghazals often address diverse subjects.

Each couplet in a Ghazal is an independent unit, yet all are loosely connected through mood or tone. Think of a Ghazal as a string of pearls: each couplet (or sher) is a self-contained pearl, contributing to a harmonious whole.

Basic Rules and Structure of a Ghazal

1. The Ghazal is Composed of Couplets

- Each couplet, called a sher, consists of two lines.
- The two lines of a sher must express a complete thought or idea.
- All sher must adhere to the same rhyme and refrain pattern (explained below).

2. Key Components of a Ghazal

Radeef (Refrain):
The Radeef is a word or phrase that repeats at the end of the second line of every couplet. It provides a sense of continuity and rhythm throughout the Ghazal.

Qafiya (Rhyme):
The Qafiya is the rhyming word or sound that appears just before the Radeef in the second line of each couplet.

Matla (Opening Couplet):
The Matla is the opening couplet of the Ghazal. Both lines of the Matla end with the Qafiya followed by the Radeef.

Maqta (Signature Couplet):
The Maqta is the final couplet of the Ghazal, often featuring the poet’s pen name (takhallus). This adds a personal touch and serves as the poet’s signature.

Bahar (Meter):
All the lines in the Ghazal must follow the same metrical length, creating a consistent rhythm or beat.

Radeef and Qafiya in a Ghazal explained in detail

Radeef (Refrain):
The Radeef is a word or a phrase that is repeated at the end of the second line of every couplet in a Ghazal.

It acts as a constant refrain, giving the Ghazal a sense of continuity and musicality.

Qafiya (Rhyme):
The Qafiya is the rhyming word or sound that comes just before the Radeef in every second line of a couplet.

All the second lines in a Ghazal must follow the same rhyme (Qafiya) and repeat the same refrain (Radeef).

Illustrative Example:

Suppose we choose:

Radeef: “in my soul”
Qafiya: Words that rhyme with "whole" (control, goal, toll, role, etc.).

Here’s how this would look in a Ghazal:

Matla (Opening Couplet):

"Every night I hear the call, deep in my soul,
Stars align and whispers fall, deep in my soul."

In the above Matla:

Both lines end with the same rhyme (Qafiya) and refrain (Radeef).
Qafiya: Call, fall (these rhyme).
Radeef: “deep in my soul” (repeated word-for-word).

Subsequent Couplets (Sher):

"Love eludes my grasping hand, losing control,
Shadows linger, never planned, deep in my soul."

"Dreams of you, they take their toll, filling my goal,
Yet the void consumes it whole, deep in my soul."

In each Sher (couplet):

The second line must end with the Qafiya followed by the Radeef.
Qafiya: Control, toll, goal, whole (rhyming words).
Radeef: “deep in my soul” (same phrase, repeated).

Key Points to Remember

Radeef: Always the same word or phrase repeated at the end of the second line in all couplets.
Qafiya: The rhyming pattern preceding the Radeef. All couplets must use words with the same rhyme here.
This structure gives the Ghazal its lyrical charm and ensures that each couplet adheres to the same musical rhythm.

Composing a Ghazal: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Choose Your Radeef and Qafiya

- Select a *Radeef* (refrain), which will remain constant throughout your Ghazal.
- Identify a set of rhyming words (*Qafiya*) that will appear before the *Radeef* in the second line of each couplet.

For example:
- Radeef: “in my soul”
- Qafiya: Words that rhyme with “hole” (whole, control, toll, role, etc.)

Step 2: Write the Matla (Opening Couplet)

Compose the opening couplet (Matla), where both lines end with the Qafiya and Radeef.

Example:
"Every night I hear the call, deep in my soul,
Stars align and whispers fall, deep in my soul."

Step 3: Create Subsequent Couplets (Sher)

- Each couplet must be independent and express a complete thought.
- The second line of every couplet must end with the chosen Qafiya and Radeef.

Examples:
"Love eludes my grasping hand, losing control,
Shadows linger, never planned, deep in my soul."

"Dreams of you, they take their toll, filling my goal,
Yet the void consumes it whole, deep in my soul."

Step 4: Conclude with the Maqta (Signature Couplet)
End your Ghazal with a Maqta that includes your pen name (takhallus). This makes the Ghazal personal and distinctive.

Example:
'Robin' whispers through the mist, seeking control,
Love remains, an endless tryst, deep in my soul.

Step 5: Maintain the Bahar (Meter)
Ensure all lines have the same metrical length. While traditional Ghazals follow strict meters, English Ghazals often use syllable counts for simplicity.

Thus a complete Ghazal would look like this -

"Every night I hear the call, deep in my soul,
Stars align and whispers fall, deep in my soul."

"Love eludes my grasping hand, losing control,
Shadows linger, never planned, deep in my soul."

"Dreams of you, they take their toll, filling my goal,
Yet the void consumes it whole, deep in my soul."

'Robin' whispers through the mist, seeking control,
Love remains, an endless tryst, deep in my soul.

Features of a Ghazal

Unity in Diversity: While each couplet is independent, the overall tone or mood ties them together.
Brevity: Each couplet condenses a profound thought or emotion into just two lines.
Musicality: The repetition of the Radeef and the rhyming Qafiya create a lyrical rhythm.

Exercises to start Writing Your First Ghazal

1. Use Radeef: “with my heart”
   Use Qafiya: Words that rhyme with "art" (start, part, smart, chart, etc.)

2. Use Radeef: “never the same”
    Use Qafiya: Words that rhyme with "name" (flame, fame, blame, claim, etc.)

3. Use Radeef: “once again”
    Use Qafiya: Words that rhyme with "when" (then, pen, men, den, etc.)

Example for Exercise 1:
"In the silence of the night, I start with my heart,
Searching shadows for the light, a part with my heart."

Why Compose a Ghazal?

Writing a Ghazal offers a unique challenge: balancing structure and creativity. The form’s rules provide a framework, while the independence of each couplet allows poets to explore multiple themes and emotions within a single poem. The lyrical quality and brevity make it a joy to read aloud and share with others.

The Ghazal is not just a form of poetry but a journey into emotion, music, and thought. By adhering to its structure and embracing its spirit, you can create works that resonate deeply with readers and listeners alike.

article from poetry group