What is "mehfil"

n. An Indian gathering where poetry or classical music is performed for a small audience in an intimate setting.

A mehfil ( Urdu: محفل; sometimes spelled mahfil) is a gathering or evening of courtly entertainment of poetry or concert of Indian classical music and Pakistani classical music (particularly Hindustani classical music) and dance, performed for a small audience in an intimate setting.

Historically, mehfils 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 given in the homes of especially avid music lovers. Ghazals are a common genre performed at mehfils. Such performances are rarer today than in the past.