One of things I really enjoy is a good tragic, soul wrenching Ghazal. For those who don’t know what a Ghazal is, well it’s often described as Urdu poetry. However, that description hardly does it justice. Ghazaliat, as the poetic form is often referred to as, is a part of the literary tradition of Persia with it’s roots in Sufism. Ghazaliat are spiritual, tragic, and intoxicating. They are composed of several stanzas the last of which usually contains the author’s name. I was introduced to Ghazaliat by my mother, who has a habit of singing while she cooks or works. As far as I can remember I have memories of her singing this form of poetry and when she sings them(for she still does) it is always with great depth. Perhaps that depth can be attributed to personal tragedy. Actually I guarantee it is, because in order to understand and really appreciate Ghazaliat i believe one has know tragedy and what better way to do that than live life. Everyone sometime or another has felt their heart ache, has felt an overwhelming melancholy sweep over them and has shed a tear or held the pain in. The pain doesn’t have to this huge soap-opera tragedy that it effects the world, all it has to do is effect you and that’s enough. Some people have dealt with more pain and sadness than others but pain is pain there’s no measuring cup for it. Listening to Ghazaliat is bittersweet. You have your sorrow that you think about, the poet’s, the character’s, and sometimes society’s. But you know that everyone is feeling it, sharing it and understanding it. When your alone and listening to it your not really alone and when your in a mehfil (gathering) and your listening to it your still not alone. As human beings we tend to isolate ourselves and fall into thinking that we are the only ones ever to have felt the way we feel when we experience personal pain. We’re not. When it comes to pain I am not any different than you nor he than she. Ghazaliat is beautiful because it makes tragedy beautiful. It makes tragedy common – a common and shared feeling.

- Kaosar