Word Meaning
सर्द-मेहरी
sard-mehrī
Meaning
Coldness, indifference, apathy, or lack of affectionate warmth.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Urdu poetry, 'sard-mehri' denotes emotional frigidity, aloofness, or neglect exhibited by the beloved toward the lover. In this couplet, the beloved's cold demeanor is depicted with poetic hyperbole as literal chill, causing even the spring cloud to cover itself in a shawl.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'sard' (cold) and 'mehr' (affection/kindness) with the abstract nominal suffix '-ī'.
Usage
A staple concept of the ghazal tradition used to lament the beloved's aloof temperament, often poetically contrasted with hot passion or freezing weather.
Examples
The lover suffered endlessly from the beloved's coldness.
Her cold indifference cast a chill upon the springtime.