How to Write Shayari in Hindi — Complete Beginner Guide

A sher (शेर) is a two-line couplet that forms the basic unit of shayari. Each line is called a misra (मिसरा). The first line is misra-e-ula and the second is misra-e-sani. A complete ghazal has 5-15 shers with the same meter (bahar) and rhyme scheme (qaafiya). The first sher is called matla where both lines rhyme, and the last sher is maqta where the poet uses their pen name (takhallus).

1. Ghazal (ग़ज़ल) — Most popular form. Collection of shers with same rhyme and meter. 2. Nazm (नज़्म) — A poem focused on a single theme, like a story. 3. Rubai (रुबाई) — Four-line poem with deep philosophical meaning. 4. Qasida (क़सीदा) — Praise poem, usually long and elaborate. 5. Marsiya (मर्सिया) — Elegy or mourning poetry. 6. Doha (दोहा) — Hindi couplet form used by Kabir, Rahim, Tulsidas.

1. Read extensively — Read Ghalib, Faiz, Gulzar, Jaun Elia daily. Understand rhythm and flow. 2. Pick an emotion — Start with one strong feeling (love, pain, hope, anger). 3. Find a metaphor — Shayari lives in metaphors. Night = loneliness, fire = passion, ocean = depth. 4. Write the second line first — In shayari, the second line delivers the punch. Start there. 5. Match the meter — Both lines should have similar syllable count. Read aloud to check. 6. Avoid clichés — Skip overused images. Find fresh ways to say old things. 7. Practice daily — Write one sher every day, even if it is not perfect.