DefinePK

Abstract

Love and affection is the most common poetic topic of poetry of all languages and cultures. There are much more symbols  and metaphors which are used to elaborate the beauty of beloved by the poets. Urdu poetry especially Ghazal has borrowed and owned much symbols and metaphors from Persian poetry. Some of these symbols and metaphors are Gul, Shama, Chand, Saqi, Butt etc. On the other side some parallel  symbols and metaphors are also used for lover such as Bulbul,Parwana,Maikash and Maikhar etc. These symbols are also used in social and political scenario. In classical Urdu Poetry, usually  these symbols and metaphors are used for lover and beloved. But in modern Urdu Poetry these symbols and metaphors are also used for homeland , social and political workers , dictators and establishment. It is a critical study of symbols and metaphors used for beloved in Urdu Ghazal with  relevant examples from both classical and modern Urdu poetry.