Word Meaning
पुरकार
purkaar
Meaning
Artful, clever, experienced, or subtly crafty while appearing simple.
Detailed Meaning
In Persian and Urdu poetry, 'purkaar' literally means full of skill or work, signifying someone who is astute, sly, or accomplished. In this couplet, Ghalib juxtaposes it with 'saada' (simple or innocent) to describe the beloveds as 'saada purkaar'—those who deceptively appear naive yet are profoundly artful and calculating. It encapsulates the charming contradiction of a lover pretending innocence while playing complex games of affection.
Etymology
Persian: 'pur' (full, abundant) + 'kaar' (work, act, craftsmanship).
Usage
Commonly paired with 'saada' in ghazal poetry to form the oxymoronic motif of 'saada-purkaar', denoting sweet deceit or deceptively innocent coquetry.
Examples
She hides her artful nature behind a naive smile.
His seemingly simple talk was full of clever artifice.