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

3 Urdu couplets and shers with miTTi

miTTi(f): soil, dirt, mud

Description of miTTi: Mitti is the Urdu word for soil or earth, referring to the loose, fertile upper layer of ground essential for plant growth. Unlike sand, which drains quickly and lacks nutrients, mitti retains moisture and supports agriculture. Differs from pathar as it is soft, organic, and decomposes over time. In Urdu poetry, mitti symbolizes the human body, returning to dust after death, as in verses evoking mortality and humility.

1 / 3: miTTi

duniya jise kahte hain jaadu ka khilona hai

mil jaaye toh miTTi hain

kho jaaye toh sona hai

that which is called life

is but a bizarre toy

what we get is dirt

what we lose is gold

Nida Fazli (12)

2013: Padma Shri

1998: Sahitya Akademi

duniya (m) (25)

world

jaadu (m) (2)

magic, magical, bizarre

khilona (m) (2)

toy

miTTi (f) (3)

soil, dirt, mud

sona (m) (1)

gold

Theme: Nature, World & Universe (50)

3.7K

2 / 3: miTTi

kuchh to tere mausam hi mujhe raas kam aaye

aur kuchh meri miTTi mein

baghaawat bhi bahut thi

something about your weather

did not suit me well

and in my own soil, perhaps

there was too much rebellion

Parveen Shakir (16)

mausam (m) (6)

weather, season

raas (1)

suitable

miTTi (f) (3)

soil, dirt, mud

baghaawat (1)

revolt, rebellion

Theme: Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

4.9K

3 / 3: miTTi

apni miTTi hi pe chalne kaa saleeqa seekho

sang-e-marmar pe chaloge

to phisal jaaoge

learn the art of walking

on your own soil

you will likely slip

walking on polished marble

Iqbal Azeem (2)

miTTi (f) (3)

soil, dirt, mud

saleeqa (m) (5)

skill, art, method

sang (m) (3)

rock

marmar (m) (1)

marble

Theme: Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Featured Themes

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Miscellany (44)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

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

miTTi(f): soil, dirt, mud

Featured Shaayars

See All Shaayars

Featured Themes