Ghazal links
The ghazal originated in Urdu & Persian, dating back to the 12th century, and takes the form of a sequence of separated couplets of equal line length, linked by rhyme.
Ghazal
The ghazal defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
The ghazal defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
AHA! Poetry Ghazal page
Jane Reichhold’s AHA! Poetry site is a good place to begin with English ghazals, offering commentary in essays by herself, Gene Doty & Eric Folsom, as well as a number of illuminating sample ghazals.
Jane Reichhold’s AHA! Poetry site is a good place to begin with English ghazals, offering commentary in essays by herself, Gene Doty & Eric Folsom, as well as a number of illuminating sample ghazals.
Basic Points About the Ghazal
Agha Shahid Ali offers a prescriptive definition of the ghazal, and sample opening & closing couplets.
Agha Shahid Ali offers a prescriptive definition of the ghazal, and sample opening & closing couplets.
The Ghazal Page
As its owner, Gene Doty, says: “The Ghazal Page is devoted to exploring the possibilities of the ghazal as a form for English poetry. The Ghazal Page publishes original ghazals written in English, related reviews, and essays and notes.”
As its owner, Gene Doty, says: “The Ghazal Page is devoted to exploring the possibilities of the ghazal as a form for English poetry. The Ghazal Page publishes original ghazals written in English, related reviews, and essays and notes.”
The Ghazal - Then and Now
Harsangeet Kaur Bhullar takes a step back from the current florescence of the ghazal in English to look at its history as both a poetic & musical genre, and its continuing popularity in Indian & Pakistani culture.
Harsangeet Kaur Bhullar takes a step back from the current florescence of the ghazal in English to look at its history as both a poetic & musical genre, and its continuing popularity in Indian & Pakistani culture.
Kalliope Primer on Ghazals
Rumi led Anitra Freeman to the ghazal, and you can now find ghazals by Rumi & an introduction to the form among the archived exercises at her Kalliope Online Writing Workshop -- everything you need to get started.
Rumi led Anitra Freeman to the ghazal, and you can now find ghazals by Rumi & an introduction to the form among the archived exercises at her Kalliope Online Writing Workshop -- everything you need to get started.
Mirza Ghalib
Mirza Ghalib was a 19th century Indian writer, one of the greats in the ghazal tradition, and this site has a good selection of his ghazals in Urdu, plus a lengthy biography, interesting for those who want to speculate on the connections between the form & its context in the poet’s life.
Mirza Ghalib was a 19th century Indian writer, one of the greats in the ghazal tradition, and this site has a good selection of his ghazals in Urdu, plus a lengthy biography, interesting for those who want to speculate on the connections between the form & its context in the poet’s life.
Urdu Ghazal: An introduction
Uma Ramamurthy’s history of the form concludes with this summary: “Although the ghazal deals with the whole spectrum of human experience, its central concern is love. Ghazal is an Arabic word which literally means talking to women.” Her Ghazal page also describes the lives & works of a number of famous ghazal writers, & offers samples in Urdu.
Uma Ramamurthy’s history of the form concludes with this summary: “Although the ghazal deals with the whole spectrum of human experience, its central concern is love. Ghazal is an Arabic word which literally means talking to women.” Her Ghazal page also describes the lives & works of a number of famous ghazal writers, & offers samples in Urdu.
What is a Ghazal?
For the most comprehensive classical definition of the ghazal, consult Abhay Avachat’s essay, in which you will learn what this means: “Ghazal in short, is a collection of Sher’s which follow the rules of ‘Matla,’ ‘Maqta,’ ‘Beher,’ ‘Kaafiyaa’ and ‘Radif.’”
For the most comprehensive classical definition of the ghazal, consult Abhay Avachat’s essay, in which you will learn what this means: “Ghazal in short, is a collection of Sher’s which follow the rules of ‘Matla,’ ‘Maqta,’ ‘Beher,’ ‘Kaafiyaa’ and ‘Radif.’”