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Urdunama

Urdunama

Written by: The Quint
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Bollywood songs turn us all into Grammy award-winning bathroom singers! But wait, do you know the meaning of every word you sing? Especially the ones in Urdu? On Urdunama, our host Fabeha Syed takes one word at a time and breaks it down for you. Be it the protest poetry of Faiz, or Sameer's 90s nostalgia, we have it all. If you like Urdu and poetry, this podcast is for you!2024 The Quint Art
Episodes
  • From Monsoon Daghaa to Human Betrayal: The Many Meanings of Broken Trust in Shayari

    From Monsoon Daghaa to Human Betrayal: The Many Meanings of Broken Trust in Shayari
    Jun 20 2026
    Mumbai is halfway through June and still waiting for the monsoon. Every few days the forecast promises rain, and every few days the clouds seem to change their mind. So, it feels like an act of 'daghaa'Often translated as betrayal, 'dagha' is more than just being deceived. It is the hurt that comes when trust is broken. Through the poetry of Shakeel Badayuni and Qateel Shifai, we explore friendship, loyalty, disappointment and the peculiar ways human beings let one another down. What makes betrayal hurt? Why does a friend's failure feel different from a stranger's? And can failing to truly understand, and showing up for the the ones closest to us also become a kind of daghaa?Because a stranger can fool you, but 'dagha' usually comes from someone closer. Tune in for some gems from Shakeel Badayuni and Qateel Shifai on dagha. And fareb? We'll get to that next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 mins
  • From Fever to Fire: Exploring Haraarat in Urdu Poetry

    From Fever to Fire: Exploring Haraarat in Urdu Poetry
    Jun 13 2026
    As another summer pushes temperatures to record highs, darja-e-haraarat , meaning 'degree of heat', has become part of our daily vocabulary. We hear it in weather reports, worry about it when a child feels warm, and increasingly experience it in a world shaped by climate change.On this week's Urdunama, we explore the Urdu word haraarat. While it literally means heat or temperature, poetry gives the word a far richer and tender life. it can signify warmth, affection, vitality, conviction, and even the spark of resistance.Through verses by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Muztar Khairabadi and Majaz Lakhnavi, Fabeha Syed traces the many shades of haraarat in Urdu poetry and reflects on how a word associated with heat can also illuminate the warmth that binds, heals and moves us to action. Tune in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    15 mins
  • The Poetry of Shajar: Trees, Shade, Roots and the Stories They Carry

    The Poetry of Shajar: Trees, Shade, Roots and the Stories They Carry
    Jun 6 2026
    World Environment Day may come around once a year, , but the questions it raises remain. As temperatures rise and green spaces shrink, the humble shajar feels less like a poetic image and more like a reminder of what sustains us.On this week's Urdunama, we explore the Urdu word shajar, meaning tree. In poetry, a tree is never merely part of the landscape. It can offer shade to a weary traveller, bear the fruits of patience and perseverance, or remind us of the roots that anchor us to our origins.Through verses by Bashir Badr, Javed Akhtar, Parveen Shakir and Qateel Shifai, Fabeha Syed traces the many meanings of shajar in Urdu poetry and reflects on why, in an age of climate change and environmental anxiety, this timeless symbol feels more relevant than ever. Tune in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    12 mins
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Easy listening, flowed well between hindustani, urdu and hindi. always keeps the audience engaged.

Interesting definitely

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Beautiful rendition of this beautiful language.
Fabiya nicely explains difficult words with modern context. The background music gels with the poetry. The selection of poetry is also very interesting.

Beautifully presented

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it's sweet and beautiful. Also a place to learn a few popular Urdu words. I have been listening to it since episode 1.

Love the content, and the delivery.

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