The ghazal is a classical poetic form that flourished across South Asia and holds deep roots in Persian literary traditions, including Dari/Farsi (Afghan Persian) plays a central role. Originating in Arabic poetry, the ghazal was refined in Farsi/Persian and then spread to the wider region, becoming a cherished art form in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, and other South Asian languages. In Afghanistan and Iran, poets writing in Dari/Farsi have long used the ghazal to express themes of love, loss, mysticism, and longing, often weaving Sufi spiritual symbolism with lyrical beauty. This cross-cultural tradition highlights the ghazal’s unique role as a shared poetic heritage linking modern day Iran and Afghanistan with the broader South Asian literary world in Pakistan and India.
We will be doing this event in collaboration with Mela Nordic.
