Mathnawi (/ˌmæθnəˈwiː/MATH-nə-WEE),[a] also spelledmasnavi,[b]mesnevi[c] ormasnawi,[d] is a kind ofpoem written inrhyming couplets, or more specifically "a poem based on independent, internally rhyming lines". Most mathnawi poems follow ameter of eleven, or occasionally ten,syllables, but had no limit in their length.[1] Typical mathnawi poems consist of an indefinite number ofcouplets, with therhyme scheme aa/bb/cc.
Mathnawi poems have been written inArabic,Persian,Turkish,Kurdish andUrdu cultures. Certain Persian mathnawi poems, such asRumi'sMasnavi, have had a special religious significance inSufism. Other influential writings include the poems ofGhazali[clarification needed] andibn Arabi.[2] Mathnawis are closely tied to Islamic theology, philosophy, and legends, and cannot be understood properly without knowledge about it.[3]
Arabic mathnawi poetry, also known asmuzdawij (Arabic:مزدوج –lit. 'doubled', referring to the internal rhyme scheme of the lines), was popularized during theAbbasid era. Unlike the older poetic styles in Arabic, mathnawi verses are notmonorhymes. Instead, they include an internal rhyme scheme within eachverse (orبيتbayt) with an extensive use ofalliteration and follow a specific meter. Arabic mathnawi poetry is similar to the Persian, Urdu and Turkish equivalents, though with one major difference: mostmuzdawij poems follow an aaa/bbb/ccc pattern, while the other mathnawi poems follow an aa/bb/cc pattern.[4]
Persian masnavi poems strictly adhere to ameter of 11 syllables (occasionally ten). While the length of a masnavi is not prescribed and is therefore unlimited, most of the better known masnavi are within a range of 2,000–9,000 verses).[5] The first known masnavi poem was written during theSamanid period (4th–10th centuries). Despite certain dates indicating a possibility otherwise, modern scholars believe that it is a continuation of anIranianverse form, not of its Arabiccounterpart.[e][6]
Masnavi are usually associated with the didactic and romantic genres, but are not limited to them.[7] There is a great variety among Persian masnavi, but there are several conventions that can help a reader recognize a masnavi poem. Most masnavi have a distinction between the introductory and bodyparagraphs (although it is not always easy to determine where that is), praise of the one God and prayers, aeulogy of the Prophet, reflections on the value of poetry, and occasionally a description of an object as a significantsymbol.[8]
Certain Persian masnavi have had a special religious significance inSufism, such asRumi'sMasnavi-i Ma'nawi, which consists of 6 books/25,000 verses and which has been used inprayer among many Sufi's, such as theWhirling Dervishes.[9] While someIslamic legalists find the practice unconscionable, the Sufi scholar and juristAbu Hamid al-Ghazali supported the use of poetry asworship.[10]
In the 21st century,Ahmad NikTalab has been one of the expert poets of Persian masnawi.[11]
Turkish mesnevi developed during the 8th to 14th centuries. Persian masnavi influenced Turkish authors as many Turkish mesnevi were, at first, creativetranslations and adaptations of Persian masnavi. The oldest known Turkish mesnevi is adidactic poem calledKutadgu Bilig.[12]
Turkish mesnevi are strongly driven by their plot, and are usually categorized into threegenres:mutakarib (heroic),ramal (religio-didactic), andhazaj (romantic). Some mesnevi were written with an understanding that the audience would appreciate the importance of the subject of the poem, but some were also written purely forentertainment purposes.[12]
Mesnevi remained prominent inTurkish literature until the end of theOttoman Empire, when it began to transform into more conversational and rhetorical literature. Few Turkish mesnevi have been translated into anothermodern language.[13]
Urdu masnawi are usually divided into three categories: early, middle, and late.
Early Urdu masnawi began during the 11th to 17th centuries. In the beginning of this period, many masnawi were religious in nature, but then grew to include romantic, heroic, and evensecular stories. Early Urdu masnawi were influenced by Dakkani literature, as well as Persian masnavi. Because of this influence, many early Urdu masnawi were translations of Persian masnavi, although there are some original early Urdu masnawis.[14]
Middle Urdu masnawi became prominent during the 12th to 18th centuries, whenUrdu literature broke away from the Dakkani tradition. During the 12th to 18th centuries, romantic masnawi became very popular. Another new convention that appeared in middle Urdu masnawi was authors using their own personal experiences as a subject for their poem.[15]
Modern Urdu masnawi began during the 13th to 19th centuries, during a time of literary reform. Masnawi as a whole became much shorter, and the traditional meters stopped being observed. These masnawis deal more with everyday subjects, as well as providing a medium forchildren's poetry.[16] A well-known masnavi-writer in Urdu in recent times was Allama Dr. Syed Ali Imam Zaidi "Gauhar Lucknavi" (great-grandson ofMir Baber Ali Anees).
