Word Meaning
दफ़्तर
daftar
Meaning
A register, tome, voluminous record, or extensive book.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'daftar' denotes a scroll, comprehensive record, or an entire volume rather than just a workplace. In this couplet, it is metaphorically linked with 'fard' (a single page or individual), indicating that each single despair is like a whole voluminous account or register of complaints. The poet contrasts the single page (fard) with an entire compendium (daftar) to amplify the magnitude of grief.
Etymology
From Persian 'daftar' (دفتر), borrowed via Arabic from Ancient Greek 'diphthera' (διφθέρα, meaning 'prepared hide, parchment').
Usage
In the ghazal tradition, 'daftar' frequently forms compounds like 'daftar-e-gham' or 'daftar-e-junoon' to evoke endless volumes of love or suffering.
Examples
Daftar-e-gham khula to har safha ashk-baar tha.
Basta-e-aql o daanash ka dafter ulat gaya.