Rules for writing a ghazal

(This definition is based on a definition of Gazal by Dr. Arshad Jamal from the book Aaina-e-Gazal)
Gazal is a collection of 'sher' which follow the rules of 'matla', 'maqta', 'behar', 'qafiya' and 'radeef'. So to know what a Gazal is, it's necessary to know what these terms mean.

Sher (shey-r) - a two line poem. This is a deceptive definition as it does not convey the complexity of thought that can be conveyed in two lines. Each is a "complete" poem in itself. It stands by itself and can be quoted as such, and often is.

Thus, a Gazal is a collection of 'ashaar' (plural of sher) which are complete in themselves and each may deal with topics/ subjects completely unrelated to each other.

Behar (be-huhr) - behar is the metre of the poem. This can loosely thought of as the length of the sher. Both the lines of a sher MUST be of the same 'behar' or 'metre'. Also, all the ashaar of a Gazal MUST be the same behar.

There are 19 different metres that are used. In simple terms, they are divided into three categories - short, medium and long.

Radeef (ra-dee-f) - word or phrase that is repeated at the end of the second line in EVERY sher. The SAME word(s) are repeated.

Qafiya (qaa-fee-yaa) - the rhyming pattern of the word(s) just before the radeef in the second line of a sher. This is a necessary requirment, followed even in the absence of other rules.

Thus, a Gazal is a collection of two-lined poem called sher, having the same behar, ending with the same radeef and having the same qafiya.

Matla (muh-ta-laa) - This is the first sher of a Gazal, and both lines of the sher must end in the radeef. Usually a Gazal has only one matla. If a Gazal has more than one matla, then the second matla is called 'matla-e-saani'.

Maqta (mak-taa) - A shaayar (poet) usually had a pen-name under which he wrote. The pen-name is called 'taKhallus' (takh-ul-lus). The sher in which the taKhallus is included is called the maqta. It is the last sher of the Gazal.





More links

1, http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/712280-WHAT-IS-A-GHAZAL-AND-HOW-TO-WRITE-IT
HAT IS A GHAZAL AND HOW TO WRITE IT?
About a ghazal and how to write it, with practical examples and question-answers.
by
Dr M C Gupta

2. http://www.scribd.com/doc/54506813/Guidelines-for-Writing-a-Ghazal

Guidelines for writing a ghazal/shayari


3.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zzS6RDqXPI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Difference between Ghazal and Nazm Jagjit Singh Tere Khat


4. http://www.shayari.in/shayari/ghazal/36343-technical-aspects-terms-rules-ghazal-writing.html


5. http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-the-Difference-Between-a-Geet-and-a-Ghazal?&id=4365564

What is the Difference Between a Geet and a Ghazal?

By Tauseefuddin Khan


6. http://www.helium.com/items/1356353-ghazal-ravishing-disunities-annie-finch-hafiz-sufi-agha-shahid-ali

Defining poetic forms: The ghazal



7.http://aksa.us/aksaarticles/N.H.%20Ansari.pdf


8.Learn more about beher (meter)
Bah’r: The Backbone of Shaa’iri By : Irfan ‘Abid
http://www.ebazm.com/beher2.htm

#shair schedule 25th June to 30th June 2012

25th June : #shuja/bahadur/veer

26th June : #Rahat Indori

27th June : #Dua/hajat/prarthna/mannat

28th June : #myfav

29th June : #Momin khan Momin

30th June :#haya / sharm

#shair schedule 18th June to 24th June 2012

18th June : # kirdar/ bulandi / oonchai/ spiritual journey of self towards truth

19th June : #Dushyant Kumar

20th june : #jannat

21st June : #Gulzar

22nd June :#wafa

23rd June :#Wasim Barelwi

24th June : #Qurbani ( birthday of Imam Hussain ibne Ali)

#Shair Schedule for 11th to 16th June 2012

11th June : Mir Taqi #Mir


12th June : #Imaan/ amal ( honesty, faith )


13th June : #IbneInsha ( 15/6/1927-------------11/1/1978)


14th June to 15th June will be devoted to theme of wedding


14th June : #mehndi / henna / haldi


15th June : sehra / #shaadi ( as far as possible post folk songs and family shaadi ke geet )


16th June : #Shahryar ( birthday: 16 June 1936 – 13 February 2012)

#Shair Schedule for 4th June to 9th June 2012

4th June : mehfil/ #bazm


5th June :#Seemab Akbarabadi 5/6/1882--------------31/1/1951

& Saeed #Rahi

6th June : #nazar/ nigaah


7th June : #Jigar Moradabadi


8th June : #Mitti / khaak


9th June : #Firaaq Gorakhpuri
Hashtags

#bazm
#Seemab #Rahi
#Nazar
#Jigar
#Mitti
#Firaaq