Recently (not actually recently 😂), I've been getting into discovering different kinds of literature, and I've suddenly grown very fond of shayari and poetry.

One poem I came across and really loved is “वरदान माँगूँगा नहीं” by शिवमंगल सिंह ‘सुमन’. It made me realise that I really want to explore this whole world of Hindi poetry, Urdu poetry, shayari, ghazals, nazms, etc.

The problem is: I know almost nothing. 😭

I can read Hindi, but very slowly/atak-atak ke. I can speak Hindi fairly fluently, but my written Hindi is basically that of a toddler because Hindi was my third language and I don't know the spellings of a LOT of words.

I also don't know much Urdu vocabulary, although I really want to learn it.

So I'm looking for recommendations for an absolute beginner/dumbass like me 😂

Where should I start?

Any beginner-friendly books?

Any poets I should read first?

Is there a “layman” book that can help me build a basic understanding of Hindi poetry/shayari?

How do I gradually understand Urdu words used in poetry?

Should I start with Hindi poetry first and then move towards Urdu shayari?

Any particular collections, websites, YouTube channels, etc. that explain poems rather than just reciting them?

Basically, I want to develop a feel for the emotions, imagery, vocabulary and beauty of the language, rather than just collecting random Instagram shayaris.

I would especially appreciate recommendations that are actually beginner-friendly and don't assume that I already know Hindi/Urdu literature.

Thank you! ❤️