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.Ayyappapanicker, K. and Sahitya Akademi Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology. 1997. 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." Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol. 5. 1992.Koul, Omkar N. Kashmiri Language, Linguistics, and Culture. Central Institute of Indian Languages: Manasagangotri. 200.
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
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