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

2 Urdu couplets and shers with bande

bande(m): children

Description of bande: "Bande" is an Urdu word meaning a servant, slave, or humble dependent, often denoting a loyal follower or subordinate. Unlike "ghulam," which strictly implies enslavement, "bande" carries a softer connotation of devoted service. Differs from "naukar," as it evokes deeper emotional allegiance rather than mere employment. In poetry, it symbolizes selfless devotion, as in verses praising a beloved's "bande."

1 / 2: bande

khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqdeer se pehle

khuda bande se ye pooche

bata teri razaa kya hai

strengthen yourself so much

that before every turn of fate

god asks of his child

tell me, what is your wish?

Mohammad Iqbal (28)

khudi (f) (2)

yourself

buland (2)

tall, lofty, strong

taqdeer (m) (4)

fate, destiny

pehle (5)

before

khuda (m) (31)

god

bande (m) (2)

children

bata (9)

speak, tell

razaa (m) (3)

consent / pleasure / wish

Theme: Grit, Resilience, & Courage (59)

3.4K

2 / 2: bande

hum ishq ke bande hain mazhab se naheen waaqif

gar kaaba hua to kya

butkhaana hua to kya

we are devotees of love,

not of dogmas

whether a mosque or a temple,

so what?

Asifud Daula (6)

ishq (m) (34)

love

bande (m) (2)

children

mazhab (m) (5)

religion

waaqif (m) (3)

aware of, familiar

kaaba (m) (3)

holy mosque in Mecca

butkhaana (m) (2)

temple, place of idols

Theme: Religion, Reason, & Tradition (72)

Featured Themes

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (72)

Love, Passion, and Longing (118)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (120)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (38)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (112)

Voice, Expression, & Language (81)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (59)

Miscellany (44)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Life, Learning, & Living (132)

Friends, Family, & Community (142)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

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

bande(m): children

Featured Shaayars

See All Shaayars

Featured Themes