Word Meaning
कुमरी
qumrī
Meaning
A turtledove; a bird symbolizing mournful lamentation and devotion in classical verse.
Detailed Meaning
Qumri refers to the turtledove or ringdove, classically celebrated for its ashen hue and sorrowful cooing. In Persian and Urdu poetic tradition, it is portrayed as the devoted lover of the cypress tree (sarv). In the given couplet, 'baiza-e-qumri' (dove's eggs) evokes fragile, ash-colored shells that yield nothing useful, contrasting against a fruitful harvest of grain.
Etymology
Arabic root q-m-r (qumrī), referring to a turtle-dove, named after its ash-grey color.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, the qumri often figures alongside the cypress tree as an emblem of enduring, melancholy love.
Examples
The lament of the turtledove in the garden.
A dove perched upon the cypress bough.