Meaning ofSee meaning muraaKHta in English, Hindi & Urdu

Urdu Mushairas were originally known as ‘MuraaKHte’; for Urdu was initially called Rekhta. In India, Persian remained the language of the courts and litterateurs for centuries. And, along with Persian poetry, the tradition of Mushaira also came to India. Primarily, Mushaira was a term used exclusively for a gathering of Persian poets. At a time when Urdu was still toddling, some Persian poets began reciting some of their Urdu poems in these Mushairas. It was the time of Muhammad Shah Rangeela, when Urdu poetry really found its place and Urdu poets started having their own poetic get-togethers which were first called ‘Majlis-e-Rekhta’, or ‘Majlis-e-Yaraan-e-Rekhta’. Later, these gatherings were given the name ‘MuraKHta’. Starting from Delhi, the fame of MuraKHtas spread as far as Rampur and Lucknow. As Urdu flourished more and more, these Murakhtas, too, came to be known as Mushairas. The first royal Mushaira of Urdu took place during the reign of Shah Alam II.

Author: Azra Naqvi