Harmony Between Words And Meanings In Poetry of Iqbal:A Critical Study

Abstract

This study examines the intricate relationship between words and meanings in the poetry of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, emphasizing the harmony between phonetic, visual, and semantic dimensions. Critical analyses by scholars such as Syed Abid Ali Abid and Jabir Ali Syed highlight that in Iqbal’s poetry, words are not merely vessels for meaning but integral components of a unified expressive system where linguistic form and conceptual content are inseparable. While some critics approach Iqbal’s work from a purely linguistic perspective, focusing on sound patterns and structural aesthetics, others emphasize the perfection of meaning and its communication, illustrating that regardless of a poem’s initial composition or subsequent revisions, the alignment of words and meanings remains consistent and artistically compelling. The study also contrasts differing critical perspectives—some prioritizing meaning over words and others vice versa—ultimately showing that Iqbal achieves a synthesis wherein words and meanings function as two facets of the same reality, rejecting duality and asserting a seamless unity. This paper contributes to the understanding of Iqbal’s poetic methodology, revealing how his conscious interplay of form and meaning enhances both the aesthetic and philosophical impact of his work.

References:

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