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12 Urdu ash'ar / shayari (shers, couplets) by

Abdul Hamid Adam k

1908-1981,

Gujranwala (Pakistan)

Abdul Hamid Adam k Biography

Abdul Hamid Adam, remembered by his pen name Adam, was an Urdu poet of the twentieth century whose works combined romanticism with modernist tendencies. Born in Punjab in 1908, he belonged to a generation of poets who witnessed major social and political upheavals, including the partition of India, and his poetry reflects both the personal and collective emotions of his time.

Adam received his education in Lahore, studying at Islamia College. Alongside his literary pursuits, he worked as a civil servant, balancing a professional career with his passion for poetry. Despite the demands of his job, his dedication to writing ensured that his voice remained active in Urdu literary circles.

His poetry, especially his ghazals, earned him a distinct place among his contemporaries. While steeped in the tradition of classical Urdu verse, Adam infused his poetry with modern sensibilities. Themes of love, longing, existential struggle, and the search for meaning appear frequently in his work. He was skilled in weaving imagery that spoke to both the heart and the intellect, making his poetry accessible yet thought-provoking.

Adam was also known for his presence at mushairas, where his recitations drew appreciation for their fluency and emotive power. His verses carried a lyrical charm that appealed to audiences and sustained his reputation as a poet of refinement. Though he may not have achieved the legendary status of some of his peers, his contributions were valuable in sustaining Urdu poetry during a transitional period.

He lived through turbulent times, and the realities of partition and societal change left their imprint on his writings. His work often conveys a quiet melancholy, tempered with hope and sensitivity, which reflects the inner conflicts of his era.

Abdul Hamid Adam passed away in Lahore in 1981, leaving behind collections of poetry that continue to be read by lovers of Urdu literature. His legacy lies in his ability to uphold classical traditions while engaging with the spirit of modernity, ensuring his place among the respected poets of twentieth-century Urdu.

1 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

mulaaqatein musalsal ho todilchaspi naheen rahti

ye betarteeb yaaraane

haseen maloom hote hain

frequent meetings make

the heart lose its thrill

these scattered encounters

are charming and delightful

Abdul Hamid Adam k (12)
mulaaqatein (1)

meetings, encounters

continuous, always, constant

interest, fascination

scattered, disorderly

friendships

haseen (9)

beautiful

maloom (4)

to know

Theme: Friends, Family & Community (124)

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0

1

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2 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

hansta to hoga aap bhi

yazdaan...kabhi kabhi

on the fascinating crime of

the creation of the universe

you too, oh god, must be

laughing...once in a while

creation

universe

interesting, fascinating

jurm (4)

crime

par (15)

wings, feathers, upon

hansta (2)

smiling, laughing

aap (9)

respectful 'you'

kabhi (22)

on occasion

0

0

3

106


3 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

mahsoos ho raha hai

main gharq-e-sharaab hun

the way you threw your

glance at me, you tyrant

makes me feel like i am

drowning in wine

nigaah (6)

sight, gaze, glance

sitam (12)

tyranny, cruelty

zarif (1)

elegant, refined

experience

gharq (1)

drowning, sinking

sharaab (14)

wine, liquor, drink

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4.5K


4 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

qaafile raah

bhool jaate hain

with just a sign from

those pretty eyes

caravans

can lose their way

haseen (9)

beautiful

aankh (10)

eyes, eye

signs, gestures

par (15)

wings, feathers, upon

caravans

raah (21)

street, path

bhool (15)

forget, mistake

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1

2.6K


5 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

zeest ke ranj

bhool jaate hain

when your eyes

do smile

the sorrows of life

i forget for a while

nain (1)

eyes

smile

zeest (4)

living, life

ranj (3)

grief, hurt, sorrow

bhool (15)

forget, mistake

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0

1

4.2K


6 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

jis mein jitna zarf hai

utna hi wo khaamosh hai

the calm of the ocean says

to the noise of the river

(s)he that can contain a lot

remains that silent

shor (2)

noise, clamor

dariya (12)

river

ocean

calm

zarf (1)

contain, fortitude

silent, silence

Theme: Miscellany (44)

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9

4.3K


7 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

muskuraana na

bhuul jaaya karo

smile is

beauty’s treasure

don’t forget

to keep smiling

husn (19)

beauty

smile

zevar (2)

jewelry, ornament

bhuul (1)

forget

Theme: Miscellany (44)

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0

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1.8K


8 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

ke gulzar mein

phool murjha rahe hai

do take the trouble

to smile once

for the flowers

in the garden are wilting

smile

garden

phool (12)

flowers, flower

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3.8K


9 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

mujh ko aadat hai

muskuraane ki

oh sorrow of life

don’t be angry

it is my habit

to smile

gham (18)

sorrow, sadness

zindagi (36)

life

angry, anger

aadat (3)

habit

Theme: Miscellany (44)

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0

1

4.9K


10 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

kaash thoDi si

hum peeye hote

even when we met

a hesitation remained

if only i had been

drinking a little

hesitation

kaash (4)

if only

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0

1

2.8K


11 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

mutrib, rubaab uTha ki

tabiiyat udaas hai

o saaqi, please bring some wine

the mood is melancholic

o musician, pick up the rubaab

the mood is melancholic

saaqi (7)

wine-pourer, bartender

sharaab (14)

wine, liquor, drink

health, temperament

udaas (5)

sad

mutrib (1)

singer, entertainer

rubaab (1)

stringed instrument

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0

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2.3K


12 / 12: Abdul Hamid Adam k

aadmi aadmi

akela hai

a crowd is just

a bazaar of solitudes

each person

is all alone

bheeD (2)

crowd

solitude, loneliness

akela (4)

alone, by oneself

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0

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4.7K


Featured Shaayars

544 Shaayars

Featured Themes

Grit, Resilience & Courage (51)
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Urdu Poetry, Simply Told

classic Urdu shers with simple translations, poetic insights, and mini-dictionaries for every poetry lover...

A heartfelt collection of Classic Urdu shers...

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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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