Mehfil
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Mehfil or ''mahfil'' (
Urdu Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the Languages of Pakistan, national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of Indi ...
: محفل), alternatively known as Bazm (Urdu: بزم) is a formal venue where indoor recreational activities such as
poetry Poetry (from the Greek language, Greek word ''poiesis'', "making") is a form of literature, literary art that uses aesthetics, aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meaning (linguistics), meanings in addition to, or in ...
( mushaira),
singing Singing is the art of creating music with the voice. It is the oldest form of musical expression, and the human voice can be considered the first musical instrument. The definition of singing varies across sources. Some sources define singi ...
,
music Music is the arrangement of sound to create some combination of Musical form, form, harmony, melody, rhythm, or otherwise Musical expression, expressive content. Music is generally agreed to be a cultural universal that is present in all hum ...
, and
dance Dance is an The arts, art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often Symbol, symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...
are entertained in parts of the
Indian subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a physiographic region of Asia below the Himalayas which projects into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. It is now divided between Bangladesh, India, and Pakista ...
. It is part of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb culture. Historically, ''mehfil''s were presented in the homes or palaces of Muslim royalty or noblemen, who acted as these artists' patrons. Mehfils are also an integral part of the Hyderabadi Muslim community, and used as a way of unity among them, all around the world. Today they are generally held in the homes of especially avid music lovers or the lovers of poetry-recitation gatherings. ''
Ghazal ''Ghazal'' is a form of amatory poem or ode, originating in Arabic poetry that often deals with topics of spiritual and romantic love. It may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss, or separation from the beloved, and t ...
s'' are a common genre performed at ''mehfil''s. Ghazal recitation gatherings are called 'Mehfil-e-Mushaira' in the
Urdu Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the Languages of Pakistan, national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of Indi ...
language.


Etymology

The word ''mehfil'' derives from the
Arabic Arabic (, , or , ) is a Central Semitic languages, Central Semitic language of the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family spoken primarily in the Arab world. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assigns lang ...
word ''mehfil'' (), which means a (festive) "gathering to entertain (or praise someone)." '' Tafsir-ul-Quran Mahfil'' is an event where people gather to discuss teaching of
Quran The Quran, also Romanization, romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a Waḥy, revelation directly from God in Islam, God (''Allah, Allāh''). It is organized in 114 chapters (, ) which ...
and learn more about
Islam Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
. '' Mehfil-e-Naat'' is an Islamic ''mehfil'' (forum) in which people sit and recite poetry in the praise of
Muhammad Muhammad (8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. Muhammad in Islam, According to Islam, he was a prophet who was divinely inspired to preach and confirm the tawhid, monotheistic teachings of A ...
. '' Mehfil-e-Sama'' is a gathering held for
Sufi Sufism ( or ) is a mysticism, mystic body of religious practice found within Islam which is characterized by a focus on Islamic Tazkiyah, purification, spirituality, ritualism, and Asceticism#Islam, asceticism. Practitioners of Sufism are r ...
devotional music A devotional song is a hymn that accompanies religious observances and rituals. Traditionally devotional music has been a part of Hindu music, Jewish music, Buddhist music, Islamic music and Christian music. Each major religion has its own trad ...
such as
Qawwali Qawwali is a form of Sufi Islamic devotional singing originating in the Indian subcontinent. Originally performed at Sufi shrines throughout the Indian subcontinent, it is famous throughout Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan and has ...
or prayer and chanting, Hadhra, part of
Dhikr (; ; ) is a form of Islamic worship in which phrases or prayers are repeatedly recited for the purpose of remembering God. It plays a central role in Sufism, and each Sufi order typically adopts a specific ''dhikr'', accompanied by specific ...
(remembrance of God).


In popular culture

Several ''mehfil'' performances may be seen in the
Satyajit Ray Satyajit Ray (; 2 May 1921 – 23 April 1992) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, author, lyricist, magazine editor, illustrator, calligraphy, calligrapher, and composer. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influ ...
film '' Jalsaghar'' (1958). In recent times, live onstage concert performances are also called 'Mehfil'. "The word 'Mehfil' generally means a place where a music or dance-performance is in progress."


See also

*
Islamic poetry Islamic poetry is a form of spoken word written & recited by Muslims. Islamic poetry, and notably Sufi poetry, has been written in many languages including Urdu poetry, Urdu and Turkish poetry, Turkish. Genres of Islamic poetry include Ginans, de ...
*
Urdu poetry Urdu poetry ( ) is a tradition of poetry and has many different forms. Today, it is an important part of the culture of India and Pakistan. According to Naseer Turabi, there are five major poets of Urdu: Mir Taqi Mir (d. 1810), Mirza Ghalib (d. ...
* Mawsim * Tweeza


References


External links


Pahenji MehfilMehfil official website
author: Deepika Singh, Published 8 May 2000, Retrieved 10 Jan 2017 Indian classical music Classical music in Pakistan Hindustani music Islam in India Islam in Pakistan Culture of Pakistan Hindustani music terminology Desi culture Islam in Bangladesh {{Pakistan-music-stub