Word Meaning
रूयाँ
Rūyāñ
Meaning
Beauties or face-possessing ones; plural of face, denoting fair-faced beloveds.
Detailed Meaning
'Rūyāñ' is the Persian animate plural of 'rū' or 'rūy' (face, countenance), formed using the plural suffix '-ān'. In classical poetry, it rarely appears alone and is typically found in compound epithets like 'sho'la-rūyāñ' (flame-faced beauties) or 'gul-rūyāñ' (rose-faced ones) to signify dazzling beloveds. In this couplet, it represents the radiant-faced beloveds whose fiery charms leave the lover to endure dark, agonizing nights of separation.
Etymology
Persian (rūy / rū 'face' + animate plural suffix -ān)
Usage
In classical Urdu ghazal, this plural form almost exclusively serves as the head-element in Persianized compound epithets for beloveds.
Examples
nazāra-e-gul-rūyāñ (sight of the rose-faced beauties)
firaaq-e-sho'la-rūyāñ (separation from radiant beloveds)