Evolving Themes in Modern Urdu Poetry: From Ghalib to Contemporary Voices

Abstract

This article explores the evolving thematic landscape of modern Urdu poetry, tracing its development from the classical expression of Mirza Ghalib to the nuanced and socially conscious voices of contemporary poets. Urdu poetry has undergone substantial
transformation influenced by political upheavals, cultural transitions, globalization, technological disruption, and shifting social values. While Ghalib’s philosophical depth and metaphysical reflection laid the foundation for poetic sophistication, modern poets
have expanded the thematic spectrum to address identity crises, gender consciousness, migration, post-colonial anxieties, and digital-age subjectivity. This study critically evaluates how poetic diction, symbolism, emotional representation, and ideological engagements have diversified across eras. With qualitative textual analysis, it demonstrates how modern Urdu poetry continues to preserve classical sensibilities while simultaneously integrating progressive concerns, making it both historically rooted and contemporarily relevant.