आईना-दार

Meaning

Mirror-holder; reflective; reflecting or presenting an image.

Detailed Meaning

Literally, an attendant who holds a mirror for someone, but poetically it means something that reflects, manifests, or bears witness to a beloved's appearance. In this couplet by Mir Taqi Mir, the speaker's eyes once held and reflected the radiant face of the beloved, serving as the mirror to their countenance. It conveys both intimate contemplation and the lingering trace of a past vision.

Etymology

Persian compound of 'āyina' (آئینہ, mirror) + '-dār' (دار, holder/keeper).

Usage

In classical Urdu ghazal, the eye or the heart is frequently described as 'aaina-daar' to emphasize pure, faithful reflection of the beloved's beauty.

Examples

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Related Words