City of Lyrics

“There’s a party going on between these book covers, teeming with distinguished, cheeky, and ribald poets. This age of Persian/Urdu poetic history has never been narrated with such clarity and liveliness.” —Pasha M. Khan, chair in Urdu language and culture at McGill University

“This lively book captures the emotional vigor of Urdu poetry and offers a very persuasive argument about the breadth of literary networks across the Persianate world.”—Purnima Dhavan, University of Washington

“This magnificent tell-all of Delhi’s tumultuous poetry scene presents the best picture yet of how literature shaped everyday life in late Mughal India, all while leaving readers crying with laughter.” —Daniel Majchrowicz, Northwestern University

“City of Lyrics traces the history of Urdu mushāʿirahs in eighteenth-century Delhi. It effectively demonstrates—through careful reading of surviving texts and keen attention to the role of performance—the emotive power of spoken (and heard) poetry during this period and the political and cultural authority it wielded and continues to wield in the region.” —Isabel Huacuja Alonso, author of Radio for the Millions: Hindi-Urdu Broadcasting Across Borders

“This book unlocks the secrets of Delhi, one of the world’s most beautiful and enigmatic cities. Through the magical key of poetry gatherings (mushāʿirahs), Nathan Tabor reveals the city’s hidden splendors and illustrious treasures.” —Afsar Mohammad, author of Remaking History: 1948 Police Action and the Muslims of Hyderabad

“This brilliant book presents an exciting new way of writing the history of Urdu literature, foregrounding its social aspects. Nathan Tabor insightfully links early modern Delhi with the vibrant contemporary mushāʿirah scene, making the book a must for the many lovers of Rekhta/Urdu poetry throughout the world.” —Heidi Pauwels, University of Washington

“In spite of communal tensions, the Hindi-Urdu language divide, and literary elitism, mushāʿirah culture has, for centuries, cultivated a public space where all are welcome to appreciate the Urdu ghazal. City of Lyrics offers a well documented and perceptive history of the mushāʿirah.” —Timsal Masud, Columbia University