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 dabaa

dabaa: bury, suppress

Description of dabaa: Dabaa is an Urdu word meaning to suppress, oppress, or keep something under control through force or pressure. Unlike mere persuasion, it implies coercion or subduing resistance harshly. Differs from "dabana" which focuses on pressing physically, dabaa emphasizes psychological or social restraint. In Urdu poetry, it evokes tyranny, as in verses depicting love crushed under societal dabaa.

1 / 2: dabaa

unhen dikhaayi naheen deta mustahiq koyi

jo kayenaat ke daulat

dabaa ke baiThe hain

they don't see anyone

as deserving

those who sit hoarding

the world's wealth

Sharar Naqvi (1)

mustahiq (m) (3)

worthy, deserving

kayenaat (f) (4)

universe

daulat (f) (2)

riches, treasure

dabaa (2)

bury, suppress

Theme: Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

2 / 2: dabaa

dabaa ke qabr mein sab chal diye dua na salaam

zara si der mein

kya ho gaya zamaane ko

after burying me, they walked away

without a greeting or a prayer

what has happened to the world

in such a short time

Qamar Jalalvi (5)

dabaa (2)

bury, suppress

qabr (m) (4)

grave, tomb

sab (13)

all

chal (5)

moving, walking

dua (m) (11)

blessing, prayer

salaam (m) (5)

greeting, farewell

zamaane (m) (10)

in the world

Theme: Life, Learning, & Living (127)

1.7K

Featured Themes

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Miscellany (44)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

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

dabaa: bury, suppress

Featured Shaayars

See All Shaayars

Featured Themes