Verse Forms: Chaupai and Doha
Most Awadhi epic poetry runs in चौपाई verses broken by a दोहा.
How It Works
Awadhi epic verse has a steady pattern.
| Form | Shape |
|---|---|
| चौपाई | four lines of equal length, rhymed in pairs |
| दोहा | two lines, each in two halves, with a rhyme at the end |
A run of चौपाई tells the story. A दोहा then sums it up or marks a turn. The Ramcharitmanas and Padmavat both use this plan.
Because each line has a fixed length, poets sometimes shorten or stretch a word to fit.
In villages, people sing both. A चौपाई is often chanted in a steady rhythm, and a दोहा may be spoken or sung alone.
Examples (4)
- चौपाई मा चार चरन होत अहैं।
A chaupai has four lines.
चौपाई is the four-line form.
- दोहा दुइ पंक्ति कै होत अहै।
A doha has two lines.
दोहा is the couplet.
- कई चौपाई के बाद एक दोहा आवत अहै।
After several chaupais comes a doha.
The doha closes a run of चौपाई.
- गाँव मा लोग साँझ के बेरा दोहा गावत अहैं।
In villages people sing dohas in the evening.
दोहा is often sung alone.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Verse forms belong to the older language of the poets.
Related Patterns
- Reading the Ramcharitmanas
A poem written in this form.
Level 6 - Reading Jayasi's Padmavat
Another poem written in this form.
Level 6 - Folk Songs: Sohar and Kajri
Folk songs, a different form.
Level 5 - कहँ / महँ / सनOld Postpositions
Old postpositions you meet in these poems.
Level 6 - Proverbs
Short sayings, often in two halves.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Verse Forms: Chaupai and Doha in Bubblegum
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