Mushaira
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Mushaira (Urdu: مشاعره, mušā’ira) is a term in Urdu used to describe an event (called mehfil, محفل) where poets gather to perform their works. A mushaira is a beloved part of the culture of Pakistan and North India, and it is greatly admired by participants as a forum for free self-expression.
A mushaira can take a number of forms. Traditionally, the ghazal is the specific poetic form employed, either recited or sung, but other forms of poetry, recitation and song may be allowed too. The poetry is often humourous in nature. Usually, invited guest poets will be seated behind a long table at the front of the room, with often the most admired of them seated in the centre. Usually one person will host the mushaira, inviting each poet to come and perform. However, the form is relatively free, and anyone can come forward and ask to perform. The host usually lets the most admired poet present be the last to perform. The audience often interacts with the poets, most often with encouraging calls of va at the end of appreciated couplets. If a couplet is particularly appreciated, there may be calls for the poet to repeat it, or the audience might automatically repeat it themselves. This latter is most often done when a poet's first couplet is appreciated. Sometimes a mushaira is more competitive. The Tarahi Mushaira is a particular form where a misra is given, and poets compose their ghazals using that misra and the behar (rhythmic metre) of the misra.
