साँझ

Meaning

Evening, dusk, or twilight.

Detailed Meaning

The word denotes evening, dusk, or the time of twilight. In this couplet, it marks the duration of the entire day through till nightfall, describing how the lover's heart writhed in agonizing torment until evening arrived. In Indian poetry, this hour conventionally symbolizes loneliness, yearning, and deepened sorrow.

Etymology

Sanskrit सन्ध्या (sandhyā) via Prakrit to Old Hindi/Braj साँझ (sāñjh).

Usage

A pure Indic register term, साँझ brings an earthy, poignant musicality to Urdu ghazal, often chosen over the Perso-Arabic 'शाम' for its folk resonance.

Examples

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Related Words