Meaning of
rafta-rafta
रफ़्ता-रफ़्ता • رفتہ رفتہ
English
gradually; slowly
Hindi
धीरे-धीरे; क्रमशः
Urdu
آہستہ آہستہ; بتدریج
Origin
Persian
Ash'aar
jo likha deewaron pe tha naam teraa mit raha hai
tu bhi yaanii mere dil se rafta-rafta mit raha hai
ret pe likkha hua vo naam mit jaata hai jaise
vaise hi to mere dil se teraa chehra mit raha hai
10
bhule hain rafta rafta unhen muddaton men ham
qiston men KHud-kushi ka mazaa ham se poochiye
44
ik pal men ik sadi ka mazaa ham se poochiye
do din ki zindagi ka mazaa ham se poochiye
bhule hain rafta rafta unhen muddaton men ham
qiston men KHud-kushi ka mazaa ham se poochiye
39
rafta rafta khatm qissa ho gaya hona hi tha
vo bhi aaKHir mere jaisa ho gaya hona hi tha
36
rafta rafta sab kuchh samajh gaya hoon main
log achaanak taires se kyuuñ kood ga.e
36
nayi subh par nazar hai magar aah ye bhi dar hai
ye sehar bhi rafta rafta kahii shaam tak na pahunchen
30
nasl-e-aadam rafta rafta KHud ko kar legi tabaah
itni saKHtii se qayamat pesh aayegi na pooch
22
buzurg ja rahe hain duniya chhod rafta rafta ab
ha
men bhi kaandhe ke li.e pukaarta hai gaav dekh
21
pas-manzar men feed hue jaate hain insaani kirdaar
focus men rafta rafta shaitaan ubharta aata hai
20
tez hawaaein aankhoñ men to ret dukhon kii bhar hi gaiin
jalte lamhe rafta rafta dil ko bhi jhulasayenge
11
jo likha deewaron pe tha naam teraa mit raha hai
tu bhi yaanii mere dil se rafta-rafta mit raha hai
ret pe likkha hua vo naam mit jaata hai jaise
vaise hi to mere dil se teraa chehra mit raha hai
10
bhule hain rafta rafta unhen muddaton men ham
qiston men KHud-kushi ka mazaa ham se poochiye
44
Nuance
Originally, 'rafta-rafta' suggests a gentle progression or movement. In poetry, it captures the essence of time's slow passage, the unfolding of emotions, or the gradual deepening of love, painting a picture of serene transformation.
Poetic Usage
Poets use 'rafta-rafta' to evoke the slow unfolding of a narrative or emotion. It often suggests a gentle, inevitable change, like the coming of dawn or the ripening of fruit.
Closing Insight
In poetry, 'rafta-rafta' is a reminder of life's gentle, unhurried pace, where beauty unfolds in its own time.