Who was the First Female Urdu Poet of the Subcontinent?
If you are an Urdu literature enthusiast interested in poetry, you must know the name of the first female Urdu poet of the Subcontinent, do you? Well, if you are not familiar with it, it’s alright; in this blog, we will talk about the first-ever and evergreen female poet whose words are still in the heart of Urdu poetry lovers and will for generations to come.
Mah Laqa Chanda, the First Female Urdu Poet
Mah laqa Bai, the first ever female Urdu poet, was born on April 7, 1768, in Aurangabad (Maharashtra). She was not only a poet but also a philanthropist, dancer ( courtesan), and musician, playing a significant cultural and social role in her era. Her pen name was “Chanda.”
In 1824, she became the first female poet to publish a diwan (poetry collection) titled Gulzar-e-Mahlaqa, featuring her exquisite Urdu ghazals.
Top 3 Famous Ghazals of Mah Laqa Chanda
Here are the top 3 evergreen and influencing ghazal of the legend, Mah Laqa Chanda; read and share your feelings in the comment section.
Ghazal=1 (Tum Munh Laga Ke Ghairon Ko Maghrur Mat Karo)
Tum munh laga ke ghairon ko maghrur mat karo
Lag chalna aise deson se dastur mat karo
Taswe baha ke har ghaDi zari nahin hai KHub
Ye raaz-e-ishq hai use mashhur mat karo
Har-chand dil dukhana kisi ka bura hai par
ranjida KHatiron ko to ranjur mat karo
Ai hamdamo jo mujh se hai manzur iKHtilat
Juz zikr-e-yar tum koi mazkur mat karo
Raushan rakho jahan mein maula misal-e-mehr
Chanda ke munh se nur ko tum dur mat karo
Ghazal=2 (Hue Janab Mein Ab Tak Na Tere Hum Gustakh)
Hue janab mein ab tak na tere hum gustaKH
KHuda ke waste hum se na ho sanam gustaKH
Chhupaya raaz-e-mohabbat ko dil mein par haihat
kare hai nam mera bad ye chashm-e-nam gustaKH
Jo aawe ji mein so kah le main hun wo ai pyare
Rahun hazar huzuri mein par hun kam gustaKH
Kaha gale se laga le tu iltifat nahin
kahe hai tis pe mujhe kyun tu dam-ba-dam gustaKH
Yahi ummid hai ‘chanda’ ko KHub-ruyon mein
Rakhe hamesha tera ya ali karam gustaKH
Ghazal=3 (Dil Mein Mere Phir KHayal Aata Hai Aaj)
Dil mein mere phir KHayal aata hai aaj
Koi dilbar be-misal aata hai aaj
Kyun paDa behosh uTh hatif se ab
Hai nida sahab-e-jamal aata hai aaj
Sang-e-rah hun ek Thokar ke liye
Tis pe wo daman sambhaal aata hai aaj
Mushtari o zohra baham sad hain
Is liye abru hilal aata hai aaj
Tum siwa ‘chanda’ ke dil mein ya ali
Kis ki azmat ka jalal aata hai aaj
Most Famous 2-Line Poetry of Mah Laqa Chanda
1=
Nadan se ek umr raha mujh ko rabt-e-ishq
Dana se ab paDa hai sarokar dekhna
2=
Dil ho gaya hai gham se tere daghdar KHub
Phula hai kya hi josh se ye lala-zar KHub
3=
Un ko aankhen dikha de Tuk saqi
Chahte hain jo bar bar sharab
You can also read Romantic, Sad, Heartbroken, and Friendship poetry at the Love Poetry Urdu website. Let’s dive into the world of Ishaq and Hope!