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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

Saaneha means tragedy, a moment that splits time into before and after. It arrives uninvited, heavy and abrupt, leaving behind silence louder than words. A saaneha isn’t just an event, it’s an emotional landscape, marked by loss, disbelief, and the slow rebuilding that follows. In Urdu poetry, saaneha becomes a language of grief, but also of resilience, how pain is remembered, carried, and sometimes, turned into verse.

In this episode of Urdunama, we dwell on saaneha through the eyes of poets who have captured sorrow with grace. Join us as we explore how poetry gives shape to what feels unspeakable, and how even tragedy can hold the faint outline of beauty.
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In the Ashes of 'Saaneha', a Poem Remained

Mumkin means possible, and possibility means imkaan — a remedy that brings relief to a grieving heart.

In this episode, we explore how poetry could bring not just joy but also a relief to a troubled or grieving heart and therapy for our mental well-being. So, we thought what better way to understand the theme of possibility than poetry.

In this episode of Urdunama, The Quint’s Fabeha Syed reads Allama Iqbal’s ghazal, ‘Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain...’, Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s nazm, ‘Is waqt to yun lagta hai...’. She also catches up with poet and scholar, Maaz Bin Bilal, who reads Emily Dickinson's poem, 'I Dwell in Possibility' and explains it through his translation in Urdu.

Tune in.

Host, Writer, and Audio Editor: Fabeha Syed
Editor: Shelly Walia
Music: Big Bang Fuzz
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Hope in The Time of Grief: What’s ‘Mumkin’ in Poetry?

'Masla' is used to refer to a problem, an issue, or a matter that requires attention or resolution. It embodies the notion of a challenge or complication that demands careful consideration, analysis, and often, deliberation among individuals or groups. 'Masla' can encompass various aspects of life, including personal, social, political, or even spiritual matters.

Tune in to this episode of Urdunama as Fabeha reads Sahir, Ahmad Faraz, Abbas Tabish, and others. 
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Sometimes, Poetry Can Solve Every 'Masla' in Life

All the artform is the expression of the artist behind it. And it's the way of izhaare-e-khayal or the expression of thought that paves the way to that art's success. The art that we focus on in this series is poetry. From Mirza Ghalib to Shakeel Badayuni, here is how to express when in love or distress.Tune in!
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From Ghalib to Badayuni, Here Are Some Gems on the Beauty of 'Izhaar'

In today's Urdunama, we delve into the beautiful Urdu word 'Mauj,' which embodies joy, exuberance, and the undulating waves of life. Derived from Persian, 'Mauj' symbolizes the dynamic nature of existence and is often used in Urdu poetry to depict moments of bliss and celebration. 

Listen till the end as I read poetry by Asghar Gondvi, Parveen Shakir, and Majrooh Sultanpuri.
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How Urdu Shayri Teaches Us To Live Life With ‘Mauj’

If it wasn't for Talat Mahmood's soulful voice, Dilip Kumar wouldn't have become the undisputed 'King of Tragedy'. From 'Arzoo', 'Tarana' to 'Sangdil', and 'Babul', Talat Mahmood used to be the first choice of the directors for the voice of Dilip Kumar.

If it wasn't for Talat Mahmood, Mehdi Hasan would not have become the ghazal great of the subcontinent. 

Also, referred to as the 'Frank Sinatra' of India, Talat Mahmood with his velvety voice became the first heartthrob of ghazal lovers, and ruled the Hindi film music industry in the 40s and the 50s.

In this episode of Urdunama, we remember the first 'King of Ghazal' of the Hindi film music, and also a dashing actor who romanced actresses like Nutan, Suraiyya and Nadira. The Quint's Fabeha Syed caught up with journalist and Talat Mahmood's grandniece, Sahar Zaman, who tells what was he like - as a grandfather, a singer, an actor and a shy boy from Lucknow.

Tune in. 

Vocals: Vikram Venkateswaran
Guest: Sahar Zaman, Journalist
Host, Writer and Sound Designer: Fabeha Syed
Editor: Shelly Walia
Music: Big Bang Fuzz
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How India's Frank Sinatra, Talat Mahmood, Became The Voice Of Dilip Kumar in the 50s

The Oxford Word of the Year, 'Brain Rot,' captures a world consumed by endless scrolling, digital fatigue, and mental burnout. In this episode of Urdunama, Fabeha Syed connects the Urdu word 'Zavaal'—meaning decline or downfall—to this modern malaise. Through the poetic imagery of setting suns and philosophical insights on life’s inevitable cycles, 'Zavaal' helps us make sense of the cultural and personal effects of our collective 'Brain Rot.' With timeless poetry and contemporary parallels, we delve into how every decline carries the promise of renewal.
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Brain Rot: How to Survive This 'Zavaal'

'Gham' a word that carries the weight of sorrow yet inspires some of the most profound poetry. In this episode of Urdunama, Fabeha Syed explores how this emotion has shaped Urdu poetry and literature. From heartbreak to resilience, discover why poets find solace and strength in expressing gham.
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You Need to Navigate ‘Gham’ to Find Healing

What makes a house a home? Is it the walls that shelter us, or the emotions that bind us? In this episode of Urdunama Fabeha Syed unpacks the soul of 'ghar', a word that means so much more than just a home. Through timeless Urdu poetry and heartfelt stories, we explore how poets have captured the longing for ghar, the warmth it offers, and the solace it brings. From the nostalgia of childhood homes to the yearning for a place to call one’s own, discover why 'ghar' is a feeling that transcends time and space.
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'Ghar' is Where the Heart Is

In the realm of sahaafat (journalism), the truth is both the foundation and the fight. This episode of Urdunama, hosted by Fabeha Syed, dives into the Urdu word sahaafat, exploring its poetic essence and the challenges faced by modern journalists. Help sustain the voice of truth by becoming a member of The Quint, where every story is a testament to courage and authenticity.
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Sahaafat: The 4th Pillar of Democracy

The movie and the soundtrack of Netflix's Qala is one to be counted among the OTT's finest productions. But what does the word 'qala' mean? When pronounced as kala which means art, it becomes an instant association as the movie is about art. 

Qala, however, has its origins in Arabic which means a fortress or a castle which in Hindustani is called qila. With Amit Trivedi's painfully haunting soundtrack underlying the brilliant wallpaper-like cinematography by Siddharth Divan, the movie is a sure treat for the eyes.

We picked out two songs from the film for our lessons in Urdu this week. Tune in as Fabeha Syed explores the themes of inkaar and iqraar.
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Taking Notes On 'Ghodey Pe Sawaar', Inkaar in 'Qala'

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