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This is such an amazing initiative! This is a great collection of Urdu poetry which has been made accessible to everybody.

— Aditi Rao Hydari, Actor

tabl-o-alam hi paas hain apne

1 / 1: Couplet

tabl-o-alam hi paas hain apne na mulk-o-maal

ham se khilaaf ho ke

karegaa zamaana kya

we have only the drum and the banner

neither land nor wealth

what can the world do

by turning against us?

Haidar Ali Aatish (9)

tabl (m) (1)

drum

alam (m) (3)

flag, sail, pain, affliction

maal (m) (4)

treasure, goods

khilaaf (m) (3)

against, opposed

zamaana (m) (9)

world, age, days

Interpretation

Shaayar Aatish seems to issue a battle cry of magnificent dispossession. The speaker owns nothing the world can seize — no land, no wealth— only tabl-o-alam, the drum and banner of honour. And therein lies the defiance: zamaanaa can only threaten those who have something to lose.

The poet has already surrendered everything material and kept only dignity. The question — karegaa zamaanaa kyaa — is not anxiety but pure contempt. Come then, world. Do your worst. We have nothing left to fear.

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Alfaaz Ki Mehfil is a curated space for timeless poetry celebrating words, emotions, and the enduring beauty of expression. From classic Urdu couplets to modern reflections, it brings together generations of poetic voices that speak of love, longing, hope, and the human soul.

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