Maqta

The maqta (Urdu: مقطع‎) is the last sher (couplet) of a ghazal, a collection of Urdu poems and the poet's takhallus, or pen name, is usually employed in it, often in very creative ways.[1]

A shayar can use the maqta in a variety of interesting ways. He can "talk to himself", "to somebody else", "refer to something" etc. For example Firaq Gorakhpuri, whose takhallus is the word for the common theme in Urdu poetry of the state of pining for the beloved, plays on his pen name and the word firaq:

Tu yeh na samajh ke Firaq teri Firaq mein hai
Firaq uski Firaq mein hai jo teri Firaq mein hai

Don't think that Firaq pines for you (as in a desire to meet you)
Firaq pines for the one who pines for you (as Firaq wants to meet him first, who wants to meet you)

Examples

A sher by Mir Taqi Mir:

Mir in neem baaz aankhon mein

Saari masti sharaab ki see hai

Another by Mirza Ghalib:

    Kaba kis munh se jaaoge Ghalib

    sharm tum ko magar nahiN aati

    See also

    References
    1. "The history, art and performance of ghazal in Hindustani sangeet". Daily Times. 2017-12-21. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
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