Urdu Māhiyā and Its Technique

اردو ماہیا اور تکنیک

Abstract

Languages continuously evolve through interaction with other linguistic traditions and possess the capacity to assimilate words, idioms, proverbs, literary expressions, and genres from diverse sources. Urdu is particularly notable in this regard, as its historical development reflects an exceptional openness to linguistic and literary influences. It has extensively borrowed from major languages such as Arabic and Persian, incorporating not only vocabulary and idiomatic expressions but also a wide range of literary genres. Prominent poetic forms adopted and adapted by Urdu include qaṣīdah, sī ḥarfī, ghazal, rubāʿī, marsiyah, qiṭʿah, and mathnawī. Similarly, Urdu prose has benefited considerably from other literary traditions, incorporating major genres such as the novel, drama, and short story, which have subsequently become integral components of Urdu literature.In addition to Arabic and Persian influences, Punjabi language and literature have also played a significant role in the development and enrichment of Urdu. Urdu has incorporated numerous Punjabi words, idiomatic expressions, and poetic forms, including kāfī, ṭappah, dohṛā, and māhiyā. Of particular significance is the māhiyā, a traditional Punjabi poetic form that, despite experiencing a decline in its original literary context, gained renewed recognition and prominence after being adopted into Urdu. Over time, it developed into an established short poetic genre within Urdu literature. Numerous distinguished Urdu poets experimented with the māhiyā and contributed significantly to its literary development and popularization. This study therefore examines the process through which Punjabi literary traditions, particularly the māhiyā, were assimilated, transformed, and established within Urdu literary discourse.