The ghazal is an ancient form of verse primarily in the Persian language. The number of stanzas is limited, mostly erotic in nature with recurring rhymes. Studies tell us that ghazals celebrated love and wine during the last century. And interestingly ghazals are found today in pop music. They are soothing to the listener with long soft syllables and the gist of words specify mostly about love.

A form of Urdu poetry from Arabia called qasida came into Iran in the 10^th century that was written in honor of the emperor and his noblemen. A part of qasida called tashbib got detached and in due course became the ghazal. Qasida had as many as 100 couplets, whereas the ghazal rarely exceeded twelve. Sometimes they ended with seven couplets. The ghazal soon overshadowed the qasida because of its brevity and rich suggestiveness.

During the 12^th century when the Muslims started extending their influence in India, the ghazal also was brought along. History tells us that it began with Amir Khusro (1253 – 1325) in Northern India. But it grew and developed in the South in Deccan.

Ghazals always open with a couplet called matla. The rhyme usually is repeated at the end of the second line in each verse. The rhyming pattern represents AA, BA, CA and so on. The opening couplet is a repetitive couplet and it sets the tone and mood of the poem for proper appreciation. The last couplet is called makta. It often includes the poet’s pen name and is more personalized in tone and intent. Here the poet may express his state of mind, religious faith or may also indulge in self praise. Each couplet is a detached unit, self sufficient but contains the complete expression of the idea.

Some of the most famous ghazals were penned by Hasrat, Josh and Iqbal. They still hold a sway on the listener. Most of them were written about love.

Truly said, ghazal represents the Arabic word which means talking to women.