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 honTon

honTon(m): lips

Description of honTon: Honton is an Urdu word meaning the lips, often evoking their softness, fullness, or sensual curve in poetic expression. Unlike the English term "lips," which denotes mere anatomy, honton carries an intimate, tactile allure central to romantic imagery. Differs from "munh" by focusing exclusively on the delicate, kissable edges rather than the entire oral cavity. In Urdu ghazals, lovers implore, "Honton ko choo lo," beseeching a tender lip-touch.

1 / 3: honTon

jin ke honTon pe hansi paanv mein chaale honge

haan wahi log tumhein

chaahne waale honge

smile on the lips

and with blisters of the feet

yes, those very folk are

the ones that truly love you

Parwaz Jalandhari (1)

honTon (m) (3)

lips

hansi (f) (2)

laugh

paanv (m) (6)

feet

chaale (m) (2)

blisters, sores

log (m) (12)

people

Theme: Love, Passion, and Longing (122)

2 / 3: honTon

aankh mein paani rakho honTon pe chingaari rakho

zinda rahna hai to

tarkeeben bahut saari rakho

keep water in your eyes

and a spark on your lips

to stay alive

have many methods at hand

Rahat Indori (4)

aankh (m) (11)

eyes, eye

honTon (m) (3)

lips

chingaari (f) (1)

spark, ember

tarkeeben (m) (1)

methods, mechanisms

Theme: Time, Life & Learning (135)

4.6K

3 / 3: honTon

is shahar mein jeene ke andaaz niraale hain

honTon pe latife hain

awaaz mein chaale hain

in this city,

the style of living is so strange

wit and smile on the lips

but sharp edges in the voice

Javed Akhtar (10)

2007: Padma Bhushan

2013: Sahitya Akademi Award

shahar (m) (2)

city

andaaz (m) (10)

mannerism, style

niraale (m) (2)

unique, strange, quaint

honTon (m) (3)

lips

awaaz (m) (2)

voice

chaale (m) (2)

blisters, sores

Theme: Friends, Family, & Community (148)

4.8K

Featured Themes

Quest, Journey, & Destination (56)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Miscellany (44)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (74)

Time, Life & Learning (135)

Home, Country, & Belonging (32)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (65)

Nature, World & Universe (52)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (115)

Voice, Expression, & Language (82)

Friends, Family, & Community (148)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (39)

Love, Passion, and Longing (122)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (123)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (61)

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

honTon(m): lips

Featured Shaayars

See All Shaayars

Featured Themes