Mushaira is an assembly of Urdu poets, having a Naazim (moderator) and a Sadr (a senior presiding over the assembly). The tradition goes back to the great Hindi Urdu poet Amir Khusro in the 14th century. But Delhi's Mughal Durbars made Mushaira a hugely popular form of poetry recitation in front of an audience, saying Wah Wah, Irshad, Mukarrar Irshad, and Subhanallah. It was customary at a Mushaira to place the candle (Shamma) before the poet who was reciting his kalaam (poetry).

It's a tradition in a Mushaira that some members in the audience would repeat the first line after the poet- known as `misra uthana`, or repeating the line loudly. It was meant as a sign of courtesy shown for the poet and it also showed encouragement.

Cine Ink has access to a selection of recordings of Mushairas. First one in the series is a local Mushaira of a residential society of Delhi. This will be followed by a National Mushaira from the 1980s.