Signing Off in Style: The Poet’s Signature (Takhallus) in the Ghazal

In the world of the ghazal—a lyrical form defined by its couplets, rhyme, and refrain—one of the most charming traditions is the takhallus, or poet’s pen-name. Often tucked into the final couplet, the takhallus serves as both a signature and a creative device. Far from a mere autograph, it enriches the poem’s emotional register, forges an intimate connection with the reader, and becomes a playground for wordplay and self-reflection.

What Is a Takhallus?

• Definition
  A takhallus (Arabic: “to attribute”) is the poetic alias that a ghazal poet adopts. It often appears in the maqta, the ghazal’s closing couplet, allowing the poet to address themselves in the second person or weave their name into the poem’s imagery.

• Origins
  The practice emerged in medieval Persia and later flourished in the Urdu tradition, reflecting courts’ patronage of poets who crafted verses for kings and nobles. The takhallus allowed a poet to establish an individual voice within a highly formalized art.

Why the Takhallus Matters

1. Signature + Self-Portrait
   In a manuscript or oral recital, the takhallus unmistakably identifies the author. But beyond attribution, it also offers a glimpse of the poet’s public persona—often playful, ironic, or wistful.

2. Emotional Pivot
   By invoking their own name in the final couplet, poets shift from universal themes (“love,” “loss,” “longing”) to a more personal address, turning the poem inward or posing a rhetorical question to themselves.

3. Wordplay and Double Meanings
   Many takhallus are common Persian or Urdu words (e.g., Hāfez, Ghalib, Faiz) that …