Meaning of
kaaf
कफ़स • قفس
English
cage; prison; confinement
Hindi
पिंजरा; कारागार; बंदीगृह
Urdu
پنجرہ; قید خانہ; قید
Origin
Arabic
Ash'aar
band kamre men hazaaron meel ab chalte hain ham
kaafi mahangi pad rahi hai shaayri se dosti
35
zindagi bhar vo udaasi ke li.e kaafi hai
ek tasveer jo hanste hue khinchvaai thii
75
naap raha tha ek udaasi ki gehraai
haath pakadkar waapas laayi hai tanhaaii
vasl dinon ko kaafi chhota kar deta hai
hijr badha deta hai raaton ki lambaai
60
mohabbat men nahin hai farq jeene aur marne ka
usii ko dekh kar jeete hain jis kaafir pe dam nikle
59
paishan follow karne ke is chakkar men
ishq hamaara kaafi peeche chhoot gaya
49
barbaad gulistaan karne ko bas ek hi ullu kaafi tha
har shaakh pe ullu baitha hai anjaam-e-gulistaan kya hogaa
46
main har qadam par sambhal sambhal kar bhatkne vaala
bhatkne waalon se kaafi behtar bhatk raha hooñ
41
agar palak pe hai moti to ye nahin kaafi
hunar bhi chahiye alfaaz men pirone ka
40
vo kis ka hai is se kya lena dena
baaz dafa kaafi hai us ka hona bhi
38
ye kab kahte hain ki aakar hamko gale laga le vo
mil jaa.e to rasman hi bas haath mila le kaafi hai
itne kahaan naseeb ki isse pyaas bujhaayein khel karen
dariyaa ham jaison ko apne paas bitha le kaafi hai
37
band kamre men hazaaron meel ab chalte hain ham
kaafi mahangi pad rahi hai shaayri se dosti
35
zindagi bhar vo udaasi ke li.e kaafi hai
ek tasveer jo hanste hue khinchvaai thii
75
Nuance
Originally, 'kafas' refers to a physical cage or prison, a place of confinement. In poetry, it evokes feelings of entrapment and longing for freedom, symbolizing the soul's yearning to break free from worldly constraints.
Poetic Usage
Poets often use 'kafas' to depict the soul's struggle against worldly limitations. It contrasts with the idea of 'azadi' or freedom, creating a poignant tension. The imagery of a bird in a cage is frequently employed.
Closing Insight
Kafas embodies the eternal struggle between confinement and the desire for liberation. It is a poignant reminder of the soul's quest for freedom.