The increasing craze of Ghazal and Nazm in the new generation! Know from the master of Urdu poetry Ahmed Mustafa what is the difference between the two?

Wasim Ahmed: The world of Urdu language is very beautiful and heart touching. The types of ghazals, nazms and other poetry of Urdu have always made it special. Aligarh’s famous poet Ahmed Mustafa says that Urdu poetry is not just a game of words, but a feeling and culture, which has been reaching the hearts of people in every era. In today’s era, deep interest in Urdu poetry is returning among the new generation. A major reason for this has also been Hindi cinema, which popularized ghazal-like songs in the 70s.

Poet Ahmed Mustafa says that in the world of Urdu literature, Ghazal is given the most basic and important status. It is not entirely correct to assume that every lover of Urdu has the knowledge of the depth of poetry. According to him, the real basis of Urdu poetry is Ghazal, because all the varieties like Nazm, Qasida, Marsiya emerged from it. The journey of Urdu poetry started from the classical period to the Jadid and then to the post-modern period, where the literary schools of Delhi, Agra and Lucknow gave it different identities. Names like Amir Khusro and Sir Syed played a fundamental role in the progress of Urdu language and literature.

Reading is necessary to become a good poet.
Ahmed Mustafa says that in today’s new breed, keen interest towards Urdu poetry is returning again. A big example of this has also been Indian cinema, which popularized ghazal-like songs in the 70s. Both Ghazal and Nazm have their own principles, scale and rhyming schemes. Master poets used to read poetry keeping these principles in mind, that is why their poetry is still considered an example. Good reading is necessary for good poetry. From Mir, Ghalib, Sauda, ​​Momin to Faiz, Ahmed Faraz, Irfan Siddiqui and Shahryar, all Shora open doors for learning.

Good poetry comes from the heart
Recalling the old days, Ahmed Mustafa says that poetry is connected with him since childhood. His first poem, written in second or third class, was published in the newspaper and since then this interest turned into a passion. There is a deep tradition of literature and poetry in his family, due to which this skill is passed on to his family. He describes himself as a poet who writes not for the stage but for his own solace. Especially religious poetry and poems are his favorite genre. Ahmed Mustafa says that true poetry comes from the heart and the real making of a good poet happens only when he reads and writes continuously.