Poetry is a creative art form that has evolved over time for the purpose of self-expression and artistic exploration of ideas. Within poetry, there are many forms and genres, from haikus and sonnets to spoken word and rap. One specific form of poetry is that of lyrics, and within this, the focus of our article is ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ (literally translating to ‘The news of her/his departure before his/her leaving’). This type of poetry is especially concerned with the impact of separation and heartbreak.
Through the ages, poetries have remained a preferred medium for expression of emotions in the world of art. When looking at ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ poetry specifically, some say it carries a unique blend of lyricism and emotion. This blend helps to convey underlying subtlety, which can capture the way someone might feel when dealing with heartache and emotions that may not feel adequately expressed in other genres. Ever since the days of Ghalib and Mirza Ghalib, representatives of ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ poetry continue to appear in poetic works all over the world today, from India to Pakistan to the middle-east and beyond.
Experts suggest that ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ poetry can be understood as a representation of the length that people are willing to go for love. Many argue that it is a reminder that love can be temporary, and love can be replaced, no matter how painful. It is said to be a reminder that emotions can be fleeting, a profound and important perspective that has been explored in literature, music, art and beyond. New and upcoming artists are continuing to share this perspective of longing and heartache with their fans, in the hope that they will be able to relate and reach out to their own emotions.
From a personal perspective, it is clear that poetry is a powerful tool to delve deep into unresolved emotions. It forces people to confront memories and sometimes distant memories, that would remain hidden until excavated by someone’s creative force. Some argue that the word ‘judai’ (separation) carries a positive undertone in this poetry, as it is in fact a release from the entanglement of two souls, creating a sense of liberation. On the other hand, some also argue that it carries a sense of gloom and despair, depicting the agony of being separated from someone they deeply love.
Although sometimes painful and melancholic, ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ poetry can reach the soul on a deeper level. It can remind the reader of sweet moments shared, that might otherwise be forgotten, or even filtered in some way, with passing time. In this way, ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ poetry can become a beautiful tribute to lost ones, an act of capturing memories and preserving them for as long as possible.
Since the main theme of this type of poetry is separation, it is said to carry an indescribable sense of loneliness and loss for the artist or reader going through an emotional experience. It ensures that the listener or reader will be walking away from the lyrics with a heavy heart, feeling fuller than they did before.
Form and Structure
Poetry can often be seen as an embodiment of free-spirited expression, but specific forms and structures do in fact exist, that allow poets to explore a range of poetic devices in order to establish a deeper underlying message. ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ poetry is said to rely heavily on the devices of alliteration, rhyme and meter. Lyrical poetry is often composed to accompany music, so these devices are essential in providing a favourable flow and rhythm throughout the lyrics.
In much the same way, poetic devices are also essential for the purpose of evoking the intended emotions in the reader. This type of poetry is said to employ oxymoron and double meanings to suggest the hidden and intangible feelings associated with heartbreak, as well as schemes of contrast and similes to create depth of emotion. With verse and metre, poets are able to create a range of emotional moods in their poems, from minor spoken works to long poetic epics, offering multiple implications and diverse harmonies.
In addition to these devices, ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ poetry often seems to employ alternating patterns of rhyming couplets that come together and accumulate with each other, in order to draw a contrast between sweet memories of an old love and the sadness of the present reality. The words are often carefully chosen to bring out the agony of being separated, with thoughtful purpose and ooze of nostalgia.
Widespread Use
It is not only literature and poetry that have explored the theme of ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ in great detail, but also Bollywood, through numerous motion pictures and music. We see narratives outside the realm of poetry where people sing, cry, seek and fall in love. With a widespread use of this, it is clear that separation is a theme all too familiar for many, and for that, ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ poetry has become something of a sanctum for human emotions to be expressed and explored.
Famous Mughal-era poet Bahardur Shah Zafar and renowned Urdu poet Majiz have both expressed profound grief in their poignant works. Mirza Ghalib and Faiz Ahmed Faiz are amongst the more widely known names associated with the genre, along with a host of other iconic lyricists and poets. Ever since their works, this particular theme has captured the imagination of many, allowing listeners to piece together their own memories, as well as memories of their favourite poet.
Through an examination of popular culture, we can see a newfound appeal associated with ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ poetry being expressed through the lyrics of songs by famous Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Urdu and Hindi musicians. Most of these artists are said to heavily draw from their personal emotions, experiences and memories in their songs, lending a special connection between them and their fans.
Contemporary Expression
Apart from traditional forms of ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ poetry, contemporary solo artists and bands are taking a more modern approach with their works. With the invention of online music streaming, which is said to be the preferred outlet for many independent artists, ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ is being expressed with a different kind of energy that has gained a sizable following over the years.
The stories may be the same, but the music that accompanies it is said to be much more contemporary, allowing artists to reach a wider pool of listeners. This expansion of the audience brought about by the evolution of media, allows for the genre to evolve and diversify, with more nodes for people to create or come across works if expression. This expansion points towards an interest in poetic lyrics, even in this digital age, suggesting that people still find solace in poetry, no matter the form.
By exploring the works of both traditional and independent musicians, it is clear that ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ is a genre that has a unique appeal in the world of art and its expression. With its many poetic devices, devoted popularity and widespread reach, it is reassuring to see that the impact of this unique genre on our emotions will continue to remain strong.
Gender Disparity
When looking at the ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ genre and its influence on personalities, opinions are mixed. Many argue that it is a beautiful representation of unrequited love, depicting longing and yearning, whilst others are more critical in their views. One possible point of criticism being its tendency to focus more on the male perspective in the form of heartbreak i.e. a male narrator singing about a missed love or a lover’s departure. There is an apparent lack of content from the female perspective, in terms of expression of pain from a woman’s point of view.
However, there have been some recent movements to address this inequality. An example of which can be seen in the Bollywood hit ‘Tum Se Hi’ (literally translating to ‘from you only’) by Kedarnath/Chhichhore fame Sushant Singh Rajput, where the female voice was loud and clear, speaking of her pain and her withholding of affection due to a failed relationship. With movies like these, we can begin to see more content being directed to disenfranchised voices.
It is nonetheless evident that this gap exists, not only in ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ poetry, but also in other forms of literature and books. For example, the main protagonist in many romance novels is usually male. Given this, it is important for poets, authors and other artists to explore this topic from different angles, lending depth and perspective to their works, and ultimately honouring the emotions of all genders.
Traditional vs Digital
Although traditional forms of expression such as books, music and art are still popular, digital forms of media such as online streaming or newspapers have become a frequent part of our lives, as seen most evidently during this pandemic. This has created new nodes of possible expression and connection, introducing new ways of expressing ourselves and our emotions. In this way, artists are now able to reach a global audience more easily, with many members resonating with their works, allowing them to make more meaningful connections.
We have seen these effects of modernisation in the world of poetry, with many opting to express themselves through spoken word or song, exercising the freedom associated with digital media. A few different platforms, specifically Instagram and YouTube, have become a preferred way of publishing work, allowing for a broader range of expression, as well as better framing and appreciation for the artist.
In terms of ‘Pehle Ke Judai Ki Khabar’ specifically, we can see how digital content has allowed artists to cheapen production costs, reach a broad audience and make videos in the comfort of their own home. This has created an opportunity for the form to be expressed online, bypassing many of the traditional constraints that were associated with traditional media, and allowing for the form to diversify and evolve.
