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

4 Urdu couplets and shers with parda

parda(m): veil

Description of parda: Parda is an Urdu word meaning a veil, curtain, or screen used for seclusion or privacy, often in the context of purdah, the practice of concealing women from public view. Unlike temporary coverings like a dupatta, parda typically refers to a fixed partition in homes. Differs from the Arabic hijab, as it emphasizes physical separation over modest attire. In Urdu poetry, it symbolizes hidden beauty or societal barriers, as in

1 / 4: parda

dekhe baghair haal ye hai izteraab ka

kya jaane kya ho

parda jo uThe naqaab ka

even without seeing

if there is such restlessness

not sure what would happen

if the veil were to be lifted

Safi Lakhnavi (2)

baghair (2)

without

haal (m) (17)

plight, condition

izteraab (m) (5)

restlessness

parda (m) (4)

veil

naqaab (m) (5)

face veil

Theme: Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

3.7K

2 / 4: parda

parda-e-lutf mein ye zulm-o-sitam kya kahiye

haaye zaalim, tera

andaaz-e-karam kya kahiye

behind the comfort's veil, what to say

of this tyranny and cruelty

oh you tyrant, what to say

of your style of kindness

Firaq Gorakphuri (Raghupati Sahay) (12)

1969: Jnanpith

1997: India Commemorative Stamp

parda (m) (4)

veil

lutf (m) (8)

comfort, joy, pleasure

zulm (m) (12)

cruelty, tyranny

sitam (m) (12)

tyranny, cruelty

zaalim (m) (8)

oppressor, tyrant

andaaz (m) (10)

mannerism, style

karam (m) (9)

kindness, grace, favor

Theme: Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

4.1K

3 / 4: parda

khoob parda hai ki chilman se lage baithe hain

saaf chupte bhi nahin

saamne aate bhi nahin

wearing a fine veil

sitting behind a lattice screen

neither quite concealed

nor fully revealed

Dagh Dehlvi (11)

parda (m) (4)

veil

chilman (m) (1)

lattice, hanging screen

chupte (1)

hide

saamne (13)

in front of, opposite

Theme: Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

4.0K

4 / 4: parda

dil jalta hai to jalne de aansu na baha, fariyaad na kar

tu parda-nasheen ka aashiq hai

yuun nam-e-wafa barbaad na kar

if the heart burns, let it burn

do not shed tears, do not complain

you are in love with someone hidden

do not waste the name of loyalty like this

Safdar Aah Sitapuri (1)

jalte (m) (4)

light up, burn

aansu (m) (6)

tears

fariyaad (m) (3)

prayer, plea, plaint

parda (m) (4)

veil

nasheen (3)

seated

Theme: Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

1.7K

Featured Themes

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Miscellany (44)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

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

parda(m): veil

Featured Shaayars

See All Shaayars

Featured Themes