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The Quint

Bollywood songs turn us all into Grammy award-winning bathroom singers! But wait, do you know the meaning of every word you sing? Especially the ones in Urdu? On Urdunama, our host Fabeha Syed takes one word at a time and breaks it down for you.

Be it the protest poetry of Faiz, or Sameer's 90s nostalgia, we have it all. If you like Urdu and poetry, this podcast is for you!

Urdunama

Gul, meaning "flower" in Urdu, is a symbol of beauty, love, and life. Like a flower that blooms for a short time, happy and sad moments also come and go. It reminds us of hope, strength, and the quiet power of gentle things. It teaches us to enjoy the present before it fades. Even when a gul withers, its fragrance stays in the air, just like memories. No matter how harsh the winds, a gul still finds a way to bloom again.
In this episode of Urdunama, we talk about gul, its meaning in poetry, and how it represents love, loss, and hope.
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When 'Gul' Blooms, Dreams Take Flight

Sabaq means lesson. Like ink etched into memory, sabaq symbolizes the turning point between who we were and who we are becoming. It is the quiet reckoning after chaos, the clarity that follows confusion, and the inner voice that whispers truth when the noise fades. Sabaq doesn't shout—it stays, lingers, and shapes us. Wherever sabaq settles, perspective blooms, and from reflection, new directions emerge.
In this episode of Urdunama, we take you on a journey of revival through the words of poets and their timeless verses, exploring how poetry breathes new life into emotions, memories, and dreams.
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When 'Sabaq' Writes Lessons in New Light

Vahm means illusion, a flicker of doubt that blurs the line between what is and what we imagine. It is the shadow that dances just outside certainty, the echo of a thought that may never be real—but feels all too true. Vahm doesn’t arrive with answers; it tiptoes in with questions, unsettling and soft. It weaves stories out of silence, painting fears where there may be none. Yet within vahm lies the delicate beauty of perception—the way we see, feel, and sometimes misread the world.
In this episode of Urdunama, we take you on a journey of revival through the words of poets and their timeless verses, exploring how poetry breathes new life into emotions, memories, and dreams.
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When 'Vahm' Painted Truths in Shadows

Nagpur Police have filed sedition charges against Pushpa Sathidar — wife of late Ambedkarite activist and actor Vira Sathidar, and two unnamed individuals for the recital of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poem Hum Dekhenge at Vira’s annual memorial on 13 May. But what is it about this poem that repeatedly stirs controversy? What history shaped its creation, and why does it still resonate and rattle - decades later? In this episode of Urdunama, The Quint’s Fabeha Syed unpacks the verses of Hum Dekhenge and explores the enduring power of Faiz’s words.
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Faiz's 'Hum Dekhenge' Explained: Why This Poem Keeps Landing People In Trouble

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor's wedding festivities have set off a frenzy in Bollywood. As fans across the country follow the news of this marital union of two of India's celebrated stars, we found it only apt to give some thought to the word 'shaadi' or marriage, which finds its roots in the Persian word 'shaad', which means happiness and joy.

There is a lot that has been expressed in the shaad as well as na-shaad (unhappy) state of being of poets. In this episode of Urdunama, Fabeha Syed reads Faiz Ahmad Faiz's nazm 'Soch', Hafiz Jalandhari's ode to spring 'Basanti Taran', and other poems that ask us to embrace happiness even if we don't feel shaad enough.

Tune in!
Host, Writer, and Sound Editor: Fabeha Syed
Music: Big Bang Fuzz
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Marriage, Happiness, Joy, And What It Means to be Truly 'Shaad' ?

Trained at the age of five by her father and Marathi theatre star, Deenanath Mangeshkar, Lata Mangeshkar started her career as a child artiste and chorus singer in 1942. But it wasn't until the late 40s when she landed her first solo hit - 'Aayega, aayega aane wala..' from the film Mahal starring Madhubala and Ashok Kumar. Lata was praised by Nargis' mother Jaddanbai for her Urdu pronunciation of a word in this song, but she was earlier mocked for her Urdu by Dilip Kumar aka 'Yusuf Bhai', as she fondly called him. 

In this episode of Urdunama, we revisit and celebrate what made her the Queen of Melody – her grace while facing nasty rejections. 

Tune in. 

Vocals: Ushosee Pal
Guitar: Nabarun Pal
Host, Writer and Sound Designer: Fabeha Syed
Editor: Shelly Walia
Music: Big Bang Fuzz 
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Lata Mangeshkar: Tale of a Chorus Singer Becoming the Crowned Queen of Melody

In this week's episode of Urdunama, Fabeha Syed explores the Urdu word 'deewana,' meaning 'mad.' Deewana is a powerful word, with a rich and complex history. It can be used to describe someone who is passionate, obsessed, or even out of their mind.

Syed will discuss the different ways in which deewana is used in Urdu poetry and will read some of her favorite poems by Ahmad Faraz, Khushbir Singh Shaad, and Mohammad-Hossein Shahriar. She will also explore the cultural significance of deewana in Urdu culture, and how it has been used to express a wide range of human emotions, from love and longing to despair and madness.

Listen till the end.
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Are You a ‘Deewana’ of Urdu Shayari? Cuz We Certainly Are!

In this episode of Urdunama, Fabeha Syed explores the theme of separation in Urdu poetry. Often associated with lovers, 'furqat' and the breaking of relationships bring profound sorrow to the heart. Listen till the end to immerse yourself in the beautiful verses of Jaun Elia, Hafiz Hoshiyarpuri, and other renowned poets.
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Furqat: A Delicate Lament of Separation

In this episode, we delve into the depths of 'zindaan' – the Urdu word for prison. But our exploration goes beyond the literal confines of bars and walls. Join us as we examine the various forms of prisons that can trap the human spirit. From the physical cells of incarceration to the intangible chains of fear, regret, and societal expectations, we discuss how these 'zindaans' impact our lives and shape our experiences.
Listen till the end as Fabeha Syed reads poetry by Aitbar Sajid, Habib Jalib, and others.
Check out other episodes on poets like Josh Malihabadi and Faiz Ahmad Faiz here: https://www.thequint.com/podcast/urdunama-celebrating-josh-malihabadis-life-and-his-resistance-poetry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLTAgbn5EuY
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Free Yourself from the 'Zindaan' of this World

Often used to describe a state of discontent or weariness, 'bezaar' carries with it an emotion that goes beyond mere displeasure. In this episode of Urdunama, we explore its literary roots, its appearances in poetry and prose, and how it encapsulates the quiet, often unspoken feelings of dissatisfaction that we all experience.
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Faiz's 'Hum Dekhenge' Explained: Why This Poem Keeps Landing People In Trouble

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