Word Meaning
पहचान
pehchan
hinoun
Meaning
Recognition, identification, or acquaintance.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'pehchan' refers to conscious identification and intentional recognition. In this couplet, it emphasizes that the beloved struck the lover with deliberate awareness rather than by accident, making the beloved's subsequent feigned ignorance (tajahul) all the more painful.
Etymology
Derived from Sanskrit 'प्रत्यभिज्ञान' (pratyabhijñāna) via Prakrit, developing into the Hindi/Urdu verbal root पहचान-.
Usage
Often paired or contrasted in ghazal poetry with themes of 'beganagi' (estrangement) or 'tajahul' (feigned indifference).
Examples
To feign ignorance despite full recognition
Losing one's own identity and self-recognition
Synonyms
शनाख़्तपरिचयवाक़िफ़ियत
Related Words
पहचाननाजान-पहचानबेगाना