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3 Urdu couplets and shers with udhar

udhar: there

Description of udhar: Udhar is a Hindi and Urdu word meaning a loan, credit, borrowing, or debt, often used for informal advances without immediate repayment. Unlike formal banking loans with contracts and interest, udhar relies on trust in personal or community networks. Differs from karza , which implies heavier, long-term indebtedness. In Urdu poetry, it evokes life's fleeting favors, as in Ghalib's verses on borrowed joys.

1 / 3: udhar

sada ek hi rukh nahi naav chalti

chalo tum udhar ko

hava ho jidhar ki

the boat doesn’t travel

in one direction always

let’s sail wherever

the wind takes us

Altaf Hussain Hali (2)

rukh (m) (13)

face, direction

naav (m) (2)

boat

chalti (1)

udhar (3)

there

hava (m) (8)

breeze, wind

Theme: Nature, World & Universe (50)

4.7K

2 / 3: udhar

jidhar jaate hain sab jaana udhar achcha naheen lagta

mujhe paamaal raston

ka safar achcha naheen lagta

where everybody goes

i don’t like going there

on the trodden path

i don’t like to travel

Javed Akhtar (10)

2007: Padma Bhushan

2013: Sahitya Akademi Award

udhar (3)

there

paamaal (m) (2)

trample, trodden

safar (m) (24)

journey, travel

Theme: Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

3.2K

3 / 3: udhar

dil ke maamle mein mujhe dakhl kuchh nahin

is ke mizaaj mein

jidhar aaye udhar rahe

in matters of the heart

i have no say

wherever it wants

it’s inclined to stay

Lala Madhav Ram Jauhar (7)

dil (m) (109)

heart

maamle (m) (1)

matters

dakhl (m) (1)

involvement, interference

mizaaj (m) (4)

temperament, disposition

udhar (3)

there

rahe (20)

remain

Theme: Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

2.9K

Featured Themes

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Miscellany (44)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

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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udhar: there

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