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2 Urdu couplets and shers with dastak

dastak(m): knock (on the door)

Description of dastak: Dastak is an Urdu word meaning a knock or rap on a door, often signaling an arrival or request for entry. Unlike a loud bang that demands immediate attention, dastak is typically a gentle, rhythmic tapping to politely announce presence. Differs from the English "knock" by carrying cultural nuances of anticipation or invitation in South Asian contexts. In Urdu poetry, it symbolizes longing, as in Faiz Ahmed Faiz's verses evoking

1 / 2: dastak

yaad teri kabhi dastak kabhi sargoshi se

raat ke pichle pehar

roz jagati hai hamen

your memory, sometimes as a knock

and sometimes as a whisper

wakes me up

in the wee hour, every night

Shahryar (11)

1987: Sahitya Akademi

2008: Jnanpith

yaad (m) (35)

memory, remember

kabhi (26)

on occasion

dastak (m) (2)

knock (on the door)

sargoshi (f) (1)

whisper

raat (f) (11)

night

pichle (m) (1)

last

roz (m) (13)

day, every day

Theme: Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

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2 / 2: dastak

ek main hoon aur dastak kitne darwaazon pe doon?

kitni dahleezon pe

sajda ek peshaani kare

i am just one

how many doors must i knock upon?

before how many doorsteps

should i prostrate in submission?

Mahtab Haider Naqvi (1)

dastak (m) (2)

knock (on the door)

darwaazon (m) (1)

doors

dahleezon (m) (1)

doorsteps, thresholds

sajda (m) (3)

prostrate, bow

peshaani (f) (1)

forehead

Theme: Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Featured Themes

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Miscellany (44)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

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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dastak(m): knock (on the door)

Featured Shaayars

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Featured Themes