Word Meaning
ख़ुश-नवायान
khush-navaayaan
Meaning
Sweet-voiced singers, melodious songbirds, or eloquent poets (plural).
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and Urdu poetry, 'khush-nawā' denotes someone with a sweet melody, and 'khush-nawāyān' is its animate plural form. In this couplet, it literally refers to the singing birds of the garden, while serving as a direct parallel to the poets ('ahl-e-sukhan') tested in the royal court. It symbolizes true masters of artistic expression proving their skill under scrutiny.
Etymology
Persian: compound of 'khwush' (sweet/pleasant) and 'nawā' (voice/melody), taking the plural suffix '-ān'.
Usage
Frequently used in Urdu ghazal as an evocative plural for nightingales or metaphorically for master poets performing in a poetic assembly.
Examples
The sweet-voiced birds of the garden sang at dawn.
A gathering of sweet singers displaying their art.