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6 Urdu couplets and shers with varna

varna: or else

Description of varna: Varna in Urdu means "otherwise" or "or else," functioning as a conditional conjunction to express alternatives or consequences. Unlike "agar" , which introduces hypotheticals, varna implies a warning or contrast in outcomes. Differs from "ya" , as it carries a tone of caution rather than mere choice. In Urdu poetry, it heightens drama, as in Ghalib's verses warning of love's perils.

1 / 6: varna

'saif' andaaz-e-bayaan rang badal deta hai

varna duniya mein

koi baat nai baat nahin

the style of narration

changes everything, ‘saif’

if not, in this world

there is nothing new to say

Saifuddin Saif (1)

andaaz (m) (10)

mannerism, style

varna (6)

or else

bayaan (f) (8)

narration, declaration

Theme: Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

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2 / 6: varna

apne andaaz-e-takallum ko badal de varna

mera lahja bhi tere saath

badal sakta hai

change the manner

of your speech, or else

i will be compelled to

change my tone as well

Nazim Barelvi (1)

andaaz (m) (10)

mannerism, style

takallum (m) (6)

speech, eloquence

badal (m) (4)

change

varna (6)

or else

lahja (m) (2)

manner, tone

Theme: Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

3 / 6: varna

tu bhi mohtaaj hai khushaamad ka

aye khuda, varna

bandagi kya hai

even you need and crave

adulation and flattery

or else, dear god,

what is prayer for?

Davarka Das Shola (1)

mohtaaj (m) (1)

needy, in want of

khushaamad (m) (1)

flattery, adulation

varna (6)

or else

bandagi (f) (3)

worship

Theme: Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

4 / 6: varna

ye na aane ke bahaane hain sabhi varna, miyaan

itna to ghar se mere

kuchh naheen ghar duur tera

these are all excuses

for not visting, my friend

my home, after all,

is not that far from yours

Asifud Daula (6)

bahaane (m) (1)

excuses

varna (6)

or else

miyaan (m) (2)

my friend

duur (7)

distant, far away

Theme: Friends, Family, & Community (139)

5 / 6: varna

dekhiye to hai kaarwaan varna

har musaafir

safar mein tanha hai

if you observe

you see a caravan, but

every traveler

is alone in the journey

Jamil Nazar (2)

kaarwaan (m) (5)

caravan

varna (6)

or else

musaafir (m) (7)

fellow traveler

safar (m) (24)

journey, travel

tanha (m) (7)

alone

Theme: Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

6 / 6: varna

awaaz de ke dekh lo shaayad woh mil hi jaye

varna ye umr bhar ka safar

raaigaan to hai

call and reach out…maybe

you will get to meet her

else, the life’s journey

would be in vain

Muneer Niyazi (4)

safar (m) (24)

journey, travel

umr bhar (11)

lifelong

awaaz (m) (2)

voice

shaayad (8)

perhaps, maybe

varna (6)

or else

raaigaan (m) (1)

wasted, in vain

Theme: Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

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Featured Themes

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Miscellany (44)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

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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varna: or else

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