Word Meaning
उठाइए
uṭhāiye
Meaning
To lift, raise, or bear; please lift or endure.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'uṭhāiye' functions as an honorific imperative or subjunctive form meaning to lift, elevate, or endure. In Ghalib's couplet, it serves a dual function across the two lines: first physically as lifting the eyelashes to see ('mizhgāñ uṭhāiye'), and secondly idiomatically as bearing the burden or favor of vision ('ehsāñ uṭhāiye'). This semantic play showcases the poet's mastery of multi-layered verbal idiom.
Etymology
Derived from Sanskrit 'उत्थापयति' (utthāpayati - causes to rise) through Prakrit into Hindustani 'उठाना' (uṭhānā).
Usage
In ghazal poetry, it is frequently used both literally with veils and eyelashes (naqāb, mizhgāñ) and metaphorically with grief, oppression, or indebtedness (sitam, dard, ehsān).
Examples
Lift the veil from the face of mystery
Bear the burden of love's sorrow