Word Meaning
ख़ारा-तराशी
khārā-tarāshī
Meaning
Carving or sculpting of hard stone; stonemasonry or idol-making.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and Urdu poetry, the compound refers to the craft of carving hard granite or stone, specifically the sculpting of idols. In this couplet by Allama Iqbal, it signifies the worldly or pagan vocation of Azar (Abraham's father/uncle), who carved stone idols, in contrast to Abrahamic spiritual melting and reformation of stone ('khārā-gudāzī'). It metaphorically represents rigid, external fabrication versus heartfelt, transcendent transformation.
Etymology
Persian: compound of 'khārā' (hard stone, granite) + 'tarāshī' (carving, from tarāshīdan).
Usage
Used in classical verse to symbolize idol-making, harsh craftsmanship, or worldly artistic preoccupation contrasting with inner spiritual heat.
Examples
The craft of idol-carvers brings rigid stone to form.
His profession remained mere stone-carving in an age of faith.