Word Meaning
कहानी
kahaanii
Meaning
A story, tale, narrative, or personal account of sorrow.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'kahani' often transcends a simple folk narrative to mean the lover's prolonged chronicle of suffering, yearning, and unrequited love (dastan-e-gham). In this couplet, it represents the speaker's own painful life account and state of heart, which the indifferent beloved stubbornly disregards, especially when recounted directly by the lover. It reflects the recurring motif of the lover's unheard plea.
Etymology
From Sanskrit कथानिका (kathānikā) via Prakrit कहन/कहा (kaha), signifying narration or story.
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, 'kahani' frequently serves as a synonym for 'dastan-e-dil' (the tale of the wounded heart) or personal tragedy.
Examples
a painful story of separation
who has the patience to hear my tale?