Rafi-ud-Din Zaki Qureshi’s Ghazal Writing: A Technical Study

Abstract

Zaki Qureshi is a renowned and accomplished poet who is recognized both in Pakistan and abroad. His poetry is marked by simplicity and softness of expression, which is why his verses immediately touch the heart. There is a natural fluency in his style that draws the reader in. His poetry reflects depth of emotions and feelings. He beautifully expresses various aspects of love, humanity, and life. His ghazals exhibit a tone of tenderness, sincerity, and purity that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Zaki Qureshi’s poetic tradition is also deeply connected with classical poets such as Iqbal and Ghalib. The intensity of emotions in his poetry reminds one of Iqbal, while the elevation of thought and cultural resonance echoes Ghalib. However, he does not merely imitate classical traditions; instead, he adds new layers of meaning to them. This quality distinguishes him as not just a traditional poet, but as a creative continuation of the poetic tradition. After analyzing Zaki Qureshi’s ghazals, it becomes clear that his thematic range is wide and diverse. Alongside love, his poetry also explores themes of time, memory, selfhood, relationships, humanity, and emotional sensitivity. The image of woman in his poetry is presented with respect and dignity, which reflects his intellectual refinement. For this reason, his poetry does not remain confined to any narrow framework, but instead opens up to a broad landscape of life. Zaki Qureshi has preserved the classical spirit of the ghazal while integrating the demands of the contemporary age. His work contains both the delicacy of classical aesthetics and the freshness of modern thought. He has continued the legacy of Mir and Ghalib, yet his style remains distinctly his own. What makes his poetry unique is his ability to express profound emotions in a few words. His ghazals possess a special psychological depth. He speaks more through silence than through words—and this is the true beauty of his art.