Doha

For the town in Kuwait, see Doha and For the town in Qatar, see Doha

Doha (Hindi: दोहा, Urdu: دوہا ) is a form of self-contained rhyming couplet in poetry. This genre of poetry first became common in Apabhramsha and was commonly used in Hindi and Urdu poetry.

Among the most famous dohas are those of Sarahpa, Kabir, Rahim, Tulsidas, Jamiluddin Aali and Surdas.

Here is a doha by Rahim:

जो रहीम उत्तम प्रकृति, का कर सकत कुसंग |
चन्दन विष व्यापत नहीं, लपटे रहत भुजंग ||

Says Rahim, one who is of inherently noble nature, will remain unaffected even when he associates with bad people. The sandalwood plant does not absorb poison when the snakes wind around it.

Many Hindi poets have created several books which explain whole stories and epics in the form of dohas. The most popular is Tulasidas' Ramcharitmanas, a popular rendition of the Sanskrit epic, Ramayana.

See also

• Songs of realization

Links

• Doha Collection in Kavita Kosh
• Kabir