Vi. Marathi Region: The Abhanga

[Tinker]

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry
Indian Poetry
Regional Verse Forms
VI. Marathi Region

Abhanga, "the completion" is a stanzaic form commonly used for devotional poetic composition although it has also been used for cynicism, satire and reflective moods. It was popular from the 13th thru 17th centuries Marathi Region of India and is described as complex and classic.

Tukaram, 17th Century Marathi poet wrote:

Words are the only Jewels I possess
Words are the only Clothes that I wear
Words are the only food That sustains my life
Words are the only wealth I distribute among people
                                               Translation by Dilip Chitre

The elements of the Abhanga are:

1. stanzaic, written in any number of 4 line stanzas.
2. syllabic, 6-6-6-4 syllables each
3. rhymed L2 and L3 rhyme. Often internal rhyme is employed. End rhyme scheme x a a x , x being unrhymed.

Incomplete by Judi Van Gorder

           Soft waves of midnight hair
           frame her dawning face,
           eyes in submissive grace,
           beauty silenced.

 

          Magic Moments by Judi Van Gorder

          There are books of magic,
          we love Harry Potter,
          me and my granddaughter.
          "Read it, Grandma."

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