Published by Hachette, on Amazon.in and in bookstores across India.

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

1 Urdu couplets and shers with zaar

zaar(m): wretched, miserable

Description of zaar: The Urdu word zaar means a state of helplessness, weakness, or dire need, often expressing vulnerability or desperation. Unlike English words that describe emotional states clinically, zaar carries profound cultural weight, evoking sympathy and compassion. Differs from mere sadness because it encompasses physical and spiritual destitution simultaneously. In Urdu poetry and classical literature, zaar appears frequently to convey human suffering with lyrical intensity, transforming personal anguish into universal artistic expression.

1 / 1: zaar

poochho na haal-e-zaar mera tum se kya kahuun

gum-karda raah-e-baagh huun

yaad aashiyaan naheen

inquire not of my desolate state

for what could i say?

i wander astray in the garden

with no memory of my home

Munni Bai Hijab (3)

haal (m) (17)

plight, condition

zaar (m) (1)

wretched, miserable

gum (m) (2)

lost

raah (m) (23)

street, path

baagh (m) (4)

garden

yaad (m) (35)

memory, remember

aashiyaan (f) (3)

home

Theme: Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Featured Themes

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Miscellany (44)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

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.

Quick Links

zaar(m): wretched, miserable

Featured Shaayars

See All Shaayars

Featured Themes