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*When you write 'ghazal' or even a nazm, it's not just radeef & qafia, but 'beher', 'wazan', the meter too you need to be aware of.
*The ghazal has to be in one 'beher' & all couplets follow this system. For ages, 'faaylun, faaylaat' has confused young writers #Urdu #Arooz
*To some, it comes naturally. You remember 'dohas'--the laghu & guru or even in lyrics in Bollywood, the 'dhun'.

*Classical masters, bards who never studied, knew it well, it came naturally to them. Others learn it, it appears too tough & master poets tell you basics, correct.
If one knows the system, it's good. If you don't know, try to learn. In many languages, poetry has come out of this system.
Everyone is free to write. Knowledge of prosody must not be used to deter anyone. Some senior poets, masters don't help, rather use it to reject others.
*I remember, I was sitting with veteran poet, Kausar Siddiqui, when he was asked by a young boy about it. He instantly took out a piece of paper and started explaining.

*There are ways to easily make you understand. How the words are broken, where you can get relaxation, etc.
*There are arguments in favour and against this system. Debate has been going on for decades.
*But it is still believed that if you want to write literary ghazal or even nazm, (except Nasri Nazm), there has to be meter. But apart from that, there is another aspect.
A youngster has a superb potential, he has imagination. He writes a ghazal or nazm, the master poet says, 'it is kharij az bahar' or simply junk, this is patronizing
Rather than telling, correcting and asking him to keep writing in his way, he sits on the budding youth's shoulder
*The youngster gets disheartened, reads lot of books, but is not able to do this fitting or is disheartened.
*In case, he tries to read Dr Naresh, understands a bit, then may watch Bhatnagar Shadab sb's videos, he may get overwhelmed, starts writing in Hindi & becomes a poet.
In Hindi poetry, there is no other issue. But when it comes to Urdu poetry, it is the uniqueness.
And, Urdu has an extremely tough system about judging poetry because of a long history, tradition, three hundred years of master poets who took inspiration from Bedil & Hafiz etc
*Anyone who knows 'arooz' naturally feels that the youngster who doesn't know it, is just not 'mauzoo.n' for poetry, and that it's junk.
*This is also an extreme view. I remember Ustad-i-Shahar Ishrat Qadri sahab in Bhopal, would instantly tell youngsters--go write prose.
'Aap ke bas ka nahi, aap rahne dijiye', he would say. He felt there were too many poets & there was need to focus on prose.
Then you see those who know a bit, acting smart, try to patronize, while on other hand give 'crash course' to son or preferred shagird, but reject others
*Most basic thing in life is that, one must try to learn and if someone asks you something, tell them
*Lekin aap izhaar par 'qaid' bhi nahi laga sakte. If someone writes, he-she is sastisfied, it's fine. They seek your help, give it. It may not be literary as per your standards.
*But if someone is writing, it's their choice. 'Paband shayri' ya 'azad', whatever they do, it's their choice. Don't give gyan, unless asked.

*And if asked, don't discourage but make person realise what he can do, best. Not 'Gyan ka Ghamand' or be 'pir tasma-pa' unknowingly
*Similarly, if someone ready to provide you tips, you must be thankful and treat them respectfully

*Lot of Hindi knowing youth now learning arooz, practice daily on FB. This is a topic that needs our attention, discussion & it may go on a bit longer. See ashishjog2.wordpress.com/2014/09/23/art…
I wrote this thread more for latter part. Lyricism is reason that she'r works, has impact, remains in memory. To many poets, it comes naturally, others learn
Y'day Dheerendra Singh gave 'misra' on FB, asked others 'girah lagaiye'--compose she'r in this pattern, for practice.
*Craft of Urdu Ghazal, Nazm: Meter, Prosody and charm of couplets Vs poetry sans meter. There is a system, if followed fine
*If someone asks, help, but wrong to say, "I won't consider you a poet unless you prove yourself in this format"
anindianmuslim.com/2020/07/craft-… #Urdu #UrduPoetry
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