Persian · noun · Poetry, Speech & Art

Rubaab

रुबाब

also written: Rabab

Meaning

A short-necked stringed instrument played with a plectrum.

How Iqbal uses it

Iqbal titled a Persian work after the song of this instrument, the rubaab evoking the music of the heart and the message of the masters. Its strings stood for the soul waiting to be sounded.

See it in the verse

Rubaab in Iqbal’s couplets

Main tujh ko batata hun taqdir-e-umam kya hai
Shamsheer-o-sinan avval taaus-o-rubab aakhir

Let me tell you the fate of nations: the sword and the spear come first, the peacock and the lute come last.

Action · Adversity · Leadership

Related words

PERSIAN

Saaz

A musical instrument; equipment or apparatus generally.

ARABIC

Mizraab

A plectrum used to strike the strings of an instrument.

PERSIAN

Tanbur

A long-necked lute or drone string instrument.

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