ख़ाकीस्तर

Meaning

Ashes, cinders, or burnt remains.

Detailed Meaning

Khakistar denotes ashes or the burnt residue left after total combustion. In this couplet, it describes the ash-grey hue of the turtledove, portraying the bird as a mere handful of ash consumed by love's inner fire. Ghalib uses it to signify a creature reduced completely to burnt sorrow.

Etymology

Persian (خاکستر / khākistar), compound derived from 'khāk' (earth, dust) and the suffix '-istar'.

Usage

In classical ghazal poetry, it symbolizes total annihilation of the lover in the consuming fire of passion.

Examples

Synonyms

Related Words