Class 11 Hindi - ISC
Poetry: Gazal
The chapter 'Poetry: Gazal' for Class 11 ISC students introduces the lyrical and rhythmic form of Urdu and Hindi poetry. A ghazal consists of rhyming couplets called 'sher', with each sher being an independent thought bound together by a strict metrical structure, refrain (radif), and rhyme scheme (qafia). This chapter explores the thematic depth of classical and modern ghazals, focusing on love, longing, philosophical reflection, and socio-political commentary. For ISC board exams, students must master critical appreciation, explanation of specific couplets with context, identification of poetic devices, and understanding the distinct structural nuances of this poetic genre.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Sher (शेर)
An independent couplet in a ghazal that expresses a complete thought or emotion on its own, separate from the other couplets in the poem.
Radif (ردیف)
The exact word or phrase that repeats immediately after the qafia (rhyme) at the end of both lines of the first sher and the second line of all subsequent shers.
Qafia (قافیہ)
The rhyming word or syllable that precedes the radif in a ghazal, establishing the primary acoustic pattern of the poem.
Maqta (مطلع / مقطع)
The final sher of a ghazal where the poet typically uses their pen name (takhallus) as a signature stamp.
Matla (مطلع)
The opening sher of a ghazal where both lines end with the same qafia and radif, setting the melodic and thematic tone for the entire poem.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the ISC Class 11 Hindi Literature examination, poetry chapters like 'Gazal' typically carry around 8 to 12 marks. Common question types include reference to context (सप्रसंग व्याख्या), critical appreciation of specific shers, identification of technical terms like radif and qafia, and short-answer questions exploring the central theme or message conveyed by the poet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a ghazal different from a standard poem or kavita?
Unlike traditional poems where stanzas flow continuously with a unified narrative, a ghazal is made of independent couplets (shers) tied together by a strict metrical scheme, qafia, and radif, where each sher can convey a completely different thought.
How do I identify the Qafia and Radif in a given sher?
The Radif is the unchanging word or phrase that repeats at the very end of the line. The Qafia is the rhyming word that appears immediately before the radif.
Is it mandatory for a poet to use their pen name (takhallus) in the ghazal?
No, it is not strictly mandatory, but it is a long-standing tradition in classical ghazals for the poet to include their pen name in the final couplet, known as the maqta.
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