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3 Urdu couplets and shers with shikasta

shikasta: broken, battered.

Description of shikasta: Shikasta is a term from Doris Lessing's science fiction novel Re: Colonised Planet , Shikasta, where it names a once-thriving planet that degenerates into chaos after losing its cosmic harmony. Unlike its original name Rohanda, meaning "the fruitful," Shikasta signifies a broken, stricken world ravaged by greed and conflict. Differs from typical planetary names in sci-fi by drawing on Sufi mysticism to allegorize Earth's fall from grace. In literary usage,

1 / 3: shikasta

saahil pe qaid laakhon safinon ke vaaste

meri shikasta naav hai

toofan liye hue

the piers on the shore

are for lakhs of boats

but my battered boat

is for the storm ahead

Salik Lakhnavi (1)

toofan (m) (9)

storm, cyclone

saahil (m) (5)

shore, coast

qaid (m) (5)

imprisoned, captive

safinon (m) (2)

boats

shikasta (3)

broken, battered.

Theme: Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

3.9K

2 / 3: shikasta

dasht-e-tanhaai mein jeene ka saleeqa seekhiye

ye shikasta bam-o-dar bhi

humsafar ho jaayenge

in the desert of loneliness

learn the art of living

these broken doors and windows

will become your companions too

Fuzail Jafri (1)

dasht (m) (4)

wilderness, desert

tanhaai (f) (11)

solitude, loneliness

saleeqa (m) (5)

skill, art, method

shikasta (3)

broken, battered.

dar (m) (8)

window, door, gate

humsafar (m) (4)

companion

Theme: Life, Learning, & Living (127)

1.7K

3 / 3: shikasta

kyun maang rahe ho kisi baarish ki duaen

tum apne shikasta

dar-o-deewaar to dekho

why are you seeking

the blessings of rains

first pay attention to your

broken doors and walls

Jazib Quraishi (1)

maang (f) (3)

ask, seek

baarish (f) (4)

rain

duaen (m) (1)

blessings, favors

shikasta (3)

broken, battered.

Theme: Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

2.7K

Featured Themes

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Miscellany (44)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

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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shikasta: broken, battered.

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