Vatsun (, ) is a Kashmiri literary form derived from Sanskrit meaning "word/speech". This is because it has no particular pattern of versification or rhyme scheme. The metres and rhyme schemes of vatsun are varied, but generally each unit is a stanza of three lines followed by a refrain ().

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.

Vatsun bears a resemblance to Urdu lyric. Vatsun is also similar to the iambic pentameter of the Western world.

Notable Vatsun poets

• Lal Ded (1320–1392)

• Nund Rishi (1377–1438)

• Habba Khatoon (1554–1609)

• Arnimal (1737-1778)

• Dina Nath Nadim (1916–1988)

See also

• ghazal

• Iambic Pentameter

References