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Last edited March 22, 2026
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{{Short description|Formal venue for indoor recreational activities in South Asia}}
{{Italic title}}
{{For|the preaching event or uses of Mehfil|Waz Mahfil|Bazm (disambiguation){{!}}Bazm}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
'''Mehfil''' (also spelled '''''mahfil''''') is a celebration, typically with music. Or an evening of courtly entertainment [[Urdu poetry|poetry]] or concert of Qawalli, Sufi, [[Hindustani classical music]], Bangladeshi, and more, performed for a small audience in an intimate setting.
[[File:Mushaira by courtesans in Hyderabad, India.jpg|thumb|400x400px|A ''Mehil-e-Mushaira'' at Hyderabad, in the presence of the courtiers]]
'''Mehfil''' or '''''mahfil''''' ([[Urdu]]: محفل), alternatively known as '''Bazm''' (Urdu: بزم) is a formal venue where indoor recreational activities such as poetic symposiums ([[mushaira]]), [[Qawwali|singing]], [[Hindustani classical music|music]], and [[Kathak|dance]] are entertained in parts of the [[Indian subcontinent]]. 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.<ref>[http://twocircles.net/2016sep11/1473586652.html, 'One last bright spark of Lucknow's glorious tradition'], TwoCircles.net website, Published 11 Sep 2016, Retrieved 10 Jan 2017</ref> Mehfils are also an integral part of the [[Hyderabadi Muslims|Hyderabadi Muslim]] community, and used as a way of unity among them, all around the world.<ref>http://twocircles.net/2016mar17/1458227872.html, 'Ghulam Ali to launch 'Ghar Wapsi' music in Delhi, police cover sought', Published 17 March 2016, Retrieved 10 Jan 2017</ref>
Historically, ''mehfil''s were presented in the homes or palaces of Muslim royalty or noblemen, who acted as these artists' patrons.<ref>[http://twocircles.net/2016sep11/1473586652.html, 'One last bright spark of Lucknow's glorious tradition'], TwoCircles.net website, Published 11 Sep 2016, Retrieved 10 Jan 2017</ref> Mehfils are also an integral part of the [[Hyderabadi Muslims|Hyderabadi Muslim]] community, and used as a way of unity among them, all around the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-03-17 |title=Ghulam Ali to launch 'Ghar Wapsi' music in Delhi, police cover sought |url=https://twocircles.net/2016mar17/1458227872.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250522225718/https://twocircles.net/2016mar17/1458227872.html |archive-date=2025-05-22 |access-date=2026-03-17 |work=TwoCircles.net |language=en-US}}</ref>


Today they are generally held in the homes of especially avid music lovers or the lovers of poetry-recitation gatherings. ''[[Ghazal]]s'' are a common genre performed at ''mehfil''s.  Ghazal recitation gatherings are called 'Mehfil-e-Mushaira' in the [[Urdu language|Urdu]] language.
Today they are generally held in the homes of especially avid music lovers or the lovers of poetry-recitation gatherings. ''[[Ghazal]]s'' are a common genre performed at ''mehfil''s.  Ghazal recitation gatherings are called 'Mehfil-e-Mushaira' in the [[Urdu language|Urdu]] language.


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The word ''mehfil'' derives from the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] word ''mehfil'' ({{lang-ar|محفل}})<!--Is it originally Arabic, or is it from Turkish or Persian before coming into Arabic?-->, which means a (festive) "gathering to entertain (or praise someone)."
The word ''mehfil'' derives from the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] word ''mehfil'' ({{langx|ar|محفل}})<!--Is it originally Arabic, or is it from Turkish or Persian before coming into Arabic?-->, which means a (festive) "gathering to entertain (or praise someone)."


'''''[[Na`at|Mehfil-e-Naat]]''''' is an Islamic ''mehfil'' (forum) in which people sit and recite poetry in the praise of the [[Prophet Muhammad]].
''[[Tafsir-ul-Quran Mahfil]]'' is an event where people gather to discuss teaching of [[Quran]] and learn more about [[Islam]].


'''''[[Sama (Sufism)|Mehfil-e-Sama]]''''' is a gathering held for [[Sufi]] [[devotional music]] such as [[Qawwali]] or prayer and chanting, [[Hadhra]], part of [[Dhikr]] (remembrance of God).
''[[Na`at|Mehfil-e-Naat]]'' is an Islamic ''mehfil'' (forum) in which people sit and recite poetry in the praise of [[Muhammad]].


==Popular culture==
''[[Sama (Sufism)|Mehfil-e-Sama]]'' is a gathering held for [[Sufi]] [[devotional music]] such as [[Qawwali]] or prayer and chanting, [[Hadhra]], part of [[Dhikr]] (remembrance of God).
Several ''mehfil'' performances may be seen in the [[Satyajit Ray]] film ''[[Jalsaghar]]'' (1958). In recent times, live onstage concert performances are also called 'Mehfil'.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xVF4Eyl2-A, Mehfil (a 'tabla' and 'sarangi' live onstage concert), videoclip on YouTube, Uploaded 27 Sep 2016, Retrieved 10 Jan 2017</ref> "The word 'Mehfil' generally means a place where a music or dance-performance is in progress."<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=cFwbGi3oBHgC&pg=PA29&lpg=PA29&dq=mehfil+music&source=bl&ots=_hjmo7d9m1&sig=AgwzTR3axOHorn-MI9Eka8dfUFk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiKh7yX5LjRAhUJs1QKHR7EB5U4ChDoAQgZMAA#v=onepage&q=mehfil%20music&f=false, Meaning of 'Mehfil' on GoogleBooks, Retrieved 10 Jan 2017</ref>
 
==In popular culture==
Several ''mehfil'' performances may be seen in the [[Satyajit Ray]] film ''[[Jalsaghar]]'' (1958). In recent times, live onstage concert performances are also called 'Mehfil'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=- YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xVF4Eyl2-A |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> "The word 'Mehfil' generally means a place where a music or dance-performance is in progress."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ranade |first=Ashok Damodar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cFwbGi3oBHgC&q=mehfil+music,&pg=PA29 |title=Music Contexts: A Concise Dictionary of Hindustani Music |date=2006 |publisher=Bibliophile South Asia |isbn=978-81-85002-63-7 |language=en}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy58O2-tBSkYvSp3bGyXauQ/featured Pahenji Mehfil]
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy58O2-tBSkYvSp3bGyXauQ/featured Pahenji Mehfil]
*
*[https://mehfil.io/ Mehfil official website]
* [https://mehfil.io/ Mehfil Official Web]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040803214041/http://www.boloji.com/culture/001.htm article on Classical Music, Page describing ''mehfil''], author: Deepika Singh, Published 8 May 2000, Retrieved 10 Jan 2017
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040803214041/http://www.boloji.com/culture/001.htm article on Classical Music, Page describing ''mehfil''], author: Deepika Singh, Published 8 May 2000, Retrieved 10 Jan 2017


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[[Category:Indian classical music]]
[[Category:Indian classical music]]
[[Category:Classical music in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Classical music in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Hindustani music]]
[[Category:Islam in India]]
[[Category:Islam in India]]
[[Category:Islam in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Islam in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pakistani culture]]
[[Category:Culture of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Hindustani music terminology]]
[[Category:Hindustani music terminology]]
[[Category:Desi culture]]
[[Category:Desi culture]]
[[Category:Islam in Bangladesh]]




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{{India-music-stub}}
{{Pakistan-music-stub}}
{{Pakistan-music-stub}}

Latest revision as of 23:01, 22 March 2026


A Mehil-e-Mushaira at Hyderabad, in the presence of the courtiers

Mehfil or mahfil (Urdu: محفل), alternatively known as Bazm (Urdu: بزم) is a formal venue where indoor recreational activities such as poetic symposiums (mushaira), singing, music, and dance are entertained in parts of the Indian subcontinent. It is part of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb culture.

Historically, mehfils were presented in the homes or palaces of Muslim royalty or noblemen, who acted as these artists' patrons.[1] Mehfils are also an integral part of the Hyderabadi Muslim community, and used as a way of unity among them, all around the world.[2]

Today they are generally held in the homes of especially avid music lovers or the lovers of poetry-recitation gatherings. Ghazals are a common genre performed at mehfils. Ghazal recitation gatherings are called 'Mehfil-e-Mushaira' in the Urdu language.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The word mehfil derives from the Arabic word mehfil (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), 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 and learn more about Islam.

Mehfil-e-Naat is an Islamic mehfil (forum) in which people sit and recite poetry in the praise of Muhammad.

Mehfil-e-Sama is a gathering held for Sufi devotional music such as Qawwali or prayer and chanting, Hadhra, part of Dhikr (remembrance of God).

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

Several mehfil performances may be seen in the Satyajit Ray film Jalsaghar (1958). In recent times, live onstage concert performances are also called 'Mehfil'.[3] "The word 'Mehfil' generally means a place where a music or dance-performance is in progress."[4]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 'One last bright spark of Lucknow's glorious tradition', TwoCircles.net website, Published 11 Sep 2016, Retrieved 10 Jan 2017
  2. "Ghulam Ali to launch 'Ghar Wapsi' music in Delhi, police cover sought". TwoCircles.net. 17 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 May 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  3. "- YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  4. Ranade, Ashok Damodar (2006). Music Contexts: A Concise Dictionary of Hindustani Music. Bibliophile South Asia. ISBN 978-81-85002-63-7.

External links[edit | edit source]


Template:Pakistan-music-stub