Aankhen: Eyes in Hindi Love Poetry

If there is one part of the body that poets love most, it is the eyes, आँखें (aankhen).

Why eyes

Eyes speak when words fail. In love poetry, a glance can say what a long speech cannot.

Common images

• नशीली आँखें (nasheelee aankhen), intoxicating eyes
• झील सी आँखें (jheel see aankhen), eyes like a lake, deep and calm
• काजल (kaajal), kohl, which frames the eyes
• नज़र (nazar), a look or gaze
• निगाह (nigaah), glance

What eyes say

Poets use eyes to express:

• Love that is spoken silently
• Truth that words may hide
• Longing shown by a lingering look
• Shyness in a lowered gaze

The evil eye

नज़र लगना (nazar lagna) means to be struck by the evil eye. A black mark, or नज़र का टीका, is put on a child or a bride to ward it off. Poets sometimes play with this, saying the beloved is so beautiful that they fear for her.

Words around eyes

Word	Meaning
पलकें	eyelashes, eyelids
आँसू	tears
दीदार	sight, glimpse
इशारा	a hint, a gesture

An original example

लफ़्ज़ों की ज़रूरत ही कहाँ पड़ी, तेरी आँखों ने सब कुछ कह दिया।

Lafzon kee zaroorat hee kahaan padee, teree aankhon ne sab kuchh kah diya. Where was the need for words; your eyes said everything.

An original couplet for illustration only.

Tips

1. Notice which quality of the eyes a verse praises.
2. Look for the idea of silence.
3. Use eye verses for shy or tender moments.

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