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Bobur’s lyrics: rubai, tuyuq and masnu‘ poetry

Lessons 28–29 · 2 lessons · B. To‘xliyev, B. Karimov, K. Usmonova. Literature: textbook-collection for Grade 11 of secondary schools and for students of secondary specialised and vocational institutions, Parts 1–2. 1st edition. “O‘zbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi” State Scientific Publishing House, Tashkent, 2018
29

The masnu’ (artifice) poem

Textbook: Part 1, pp. 178–180
GoalUnderstand what masnu‘ poetry is and its structure through Bobur’s example.
New words
artful, ornate · masnu’square form · murabba’equal on both sides · musoviyat tarafaynpoem with a special form · san’atli she’r
Explanation

“Masnu‘” is an Arabic word meaning “artful, richly ornamented”; a masnu‘ poem can be read both horizontally and vertically. It is also called murabba‘ (square) or musoviyat tarafayn (equal on both sides). The textbook gives two examples by Bobur: the first is set out in a table of four columns and four rows, and the words read the same way along the rows and columns; in the second, a four-line poem, the words of the first line are repeated in reverse order in the last line, and those of the second line in the third. Only two phrases keep their place. Writing such a poem demands rich command of the language, metre and rhyme, so it is regarded as a sign of Bobur’s mastery.

Worked examples
Example: In a table of four rows and four columns the poet must choose words very precisely so that each stands in the right place in both directions.
Example: In the second example the words of the first line are read backwards in the last line – a form of art based on reverse reading.
Class activity

Mini-creation: build a phrase of four words and place the words so that read in reverse it still makes sense. Show the result to the class.

Practice
1
What does the word “masnu‘” mean?
2
What is the main feature of a masnu‘ poem?
3
How are the lines linked in the second example given from Bobur?
4
Why does writing a masnu‘ poem require high skill?