baithaks
Baithak is a Hindustani word from Urdu and Persian roots meaning a sitting or a gathering. In cultural usage, it denotes a social or artistic assembly centered on conversation, poetry, music, or debate. Baithaks can be informal gatherings at private homes or more formal recital settings in which performers present repertoire to a small audience.
Historically, baithaks were prominent in South Asian urban culture, especially in Mughal and early modern Delhi
Today, baithaks continue as a traditional format in India and Pakistan, often hosted in living rooms or
As a broader cultural phenomenon, baithaks reflect salon-like gatherings in South Asia that emphasize lyricism, improvisation,