Vatsun

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} '''Vatsun''' ({{IPAc-en|'|v|æ|tʃ|ən}}, {{IPA|ks|vat͡sun|lang}}) is a Kashmiri literary form derived from Sanskrit {{Transliteration|sk|Vachan}} meaning "word/speech". This is because it has no particular pattern of versification or rhyme scheme.<ref>Ayyappapanicker, K. and Sahitya Akademi ''Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology.'' 1997.</ref> The metres and rhyme schemes of vatsun are varied, but generally each unit is a stanza of three lines followed by a refrain ({{Transliteration|ks|vooj}}). Vatsun bears a resemblance to Urdu lyric. Vatsun is also similar to the ghazals of the Middle East and iambic pentameter of the Western world.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

In poetry, it is a popular age-old folk-form dating back to the 14th century, when Lal Ded and Sheikh-ul-Alam (alias Nund Rishi) wrote in the Kashmiri language the devotional poetry depicting their mystic experiences, love for God, love for others, and folk dancing.<ref>"Vatsun." ''Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol. 5.'' 1992.</ref><ref>Koul, Omkar N. ''Kashmiri Language, Linguistics, and Culture.'' Central Institute of Indian Languages: Manasagangotri. 200.</ref>

== Notable Vatsun poets == * Lal Ded (1320–1392) * Nund Rishi (1377–1438) * Arnimal (1737-1778) * Dina Nath Nadim (1916–1988)

== See also == *ghazal *Iambic Pentameter

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:Kashmiri literature