It is written from right to left like Arabic and Persian and in the same script. By the 18th century, Urdu became a well-developed language with a body of literature that consisted mainly of poetry.

A masnavi is also a genre of poetry, a type of long poem ... especially in Urdu, is that they begin with praising Allah, eulogising Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), paying tributes to the four caliphs ...

Paul Engle noted that “poetry is ordinary language raised to the nth power.” As if by magic, poetry books capture feelings that are often elusive and put into words our deepest pain and ...

Discover some surprising facts about Urdu, including how much it has in common with other languages. Also available in Urdu with audio.

Imtiaz Dharker is a leading British poet, the recipient of many awards and the only writer of South Asian origin to receive the prestigious Queen’s Medal for Poetry. She is also a filmmaker and ...

Just one beautiful line of poetry can stay with you forever. So feel inspired with these quotes from poets including Rupi Kaur, Sylvia Plath and Audre Lorde. “Poetry begins with a lump in the ...

Poems can vary widely in length, structure and style, allowing flexibility and expression. Ranking Shakespeare’s poems is not easy, and scholars and readers often argue about which of his works ...

Joe Coelho looks at how poetry can be performed, bringing the words to life rather than keeping them on the printed page. He explores what tone and timbre can bring to poems when performing or ...

Christina Rossetti was one of the finest poets of the Victorian age, well known for collections including Goblin Market and Other Poems and The Face of the Deep. She addressed gender issues in her ...

Urdu's elegance and emphasis on smooth diction have inspired both fiery nationalist poetry and romantic ghazals (semi-classical songs). It has also been the beating heart of Bollywood songs.