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4 Urdu couplets and shers with maikhaane

maikhaane(m): taverns

Description of maikhaane: Maikhaane is an Urdu word meaning a tavern, bar, or puba place where alcohol is consumed. Derived from "mai" and "khana" , it literally translates to "house of wine." Unlike a simple drinking establishment, maikhaane carries literary and cultural significance in Urdu poetry and classical literature. Differs from casual modern bars, the term evokes a romantic, melancholic atmosphere often referenced in ghazals and Sufi poetry. In poetic usage, maikhaane symbolizes

1 / 4: maikhaane

saaghar hi ki gardish aankhon mein saaqi hi ki suurat pesh-e-nazar

maikhaane meN itnaa hosh kise

kab shaam gaee kab aaee sahar

only the circling wine cup filled my sight,

the wine-pourer's face eclipsed all else

in the tavern who has such awareness

to notice the night fading into day?

Shiv Prasad Vashist (1)

saaghar (m) (4)

goblet, wine cup

gardish (f) (2)

revolving, rotating

aankhon (m) (12)

eyes

saaqi (f) (10)

wine-pourer, bartender

suurat (f) (2)

face

nazar (f) (32)

perspective, sight

maikhaane (m) (4)

taverns

hosh (f) (8)

consciousness

shaam (f) (21)

evening

sahar (f) (8)

dawn

Theme: Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

2 / 4: maikhaane

masjid mein bulaate hain hamein zaahid-e-na-fahm

hota kuch agar hosh to

maikhaane na jaate

the foolish preacher

invites me into the mosque

if i have any sense, won’t i

find my way to the taverns?

Anonymous

masjid (m) (6)

mosque

zaahid (m) (7)

priest, pious person

fahm (m) (3)

belief, comprehension

hosh (f) (8)

consciousness

maikhaane (m) (4)

taverns

Theme: Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

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3 / 4: maikhaane

'zauq' jo madaraase ke bigDe hue hain mullah

un ko maikhaane mein le aao

sanwar jaayenge

zauq, those priests

ruined by religious schools

bring them to the tavern

so they can be reformed

Shaikh Ibrahim Zauq (6)

bigDe (1)

spoilt, ruined

mullah (m) (2)

priest, learned, pious

maikhaane (m) (4)

taverns

sanwar (m) (2)

correct, reform, rectify

Theme: Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

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4 / 4: maikhaane

duur se aaye thay, saaqi sun ke maikhaane ko hum

bas taraste hi chale afsos

paimaane ko hum

we came from afar, o cupbearer,

hearing of your tavern

and, regretfully, we kept

thirsting for a single cup

Nazeer Akbarabadi (9)

duur (7)

distant, far away

saaqi (f) (10)

wine-pourer, bartender

maikhaane (m) (4)

taverns

taraste (m) (2)

long for, thirst

afsos (m) (1)

regret, sorrow

Theme: Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Featured Themes

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Miscellany (44)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

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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maikhaane(m): taverns

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