Moods Of Mehfil
This zine is the product of a series of workshops that were developed by the DAYTIMERS Mehfil team as part of the Rich Mix Resonates programme, in which participants met on a weekly basis, exploring making and poetry around themes of community, culture, home, time, joy and heart.
Koumal Patel
Shirin Naveed
Ambrina Abbasi
Selina Begum
Sophie Lin
Maliha Anas
Naila Ali
Sandhya Narayanan
Sandhya Narayanan
Abel Berhan
Ragini Jha
Ramneek Chana
Sammy Hussain
Milli - Rose Rubin
Amad Ilyas
The word mehfil derives from the Arabic, which means a (festive) “gathering to entertain” (or praise someone).
In essence the word is synonymous with the word Baithak (Seat or To Sit). In general terms a place where there is Music or Artistry, specifically poetry. In fact, many Sufi scholars considered the world a Mehfil.
Mehfil is a celebration, typically with music. Or an evening of courtly entertainment poetry or concert of Qawalli, Sufi, Hindustani classical music and more, performed for a small audience in an intimate setting.
Historically, mehfils were presented in the homes or palaces of royalty or noblemen, who acted as these artists’ patrons.
For us Mehfil is a way to spotlight and celebrate communities of poetry and spoken word, performed for audiences in an intimate setting. We wanted to take this experience and bring it to a new audience with the same passion and drive we have in all our other events.
The collective spirit of communities coming together, stories being told, and a new Mehfil being made.
With this zine we hope to spread the spirit of Mehfil with our words and art. Thank you for being a part of this with us.
A portion of the sale of this zine will go to help two charities supporting people affected by the floods in Pakistan. One is raising funds for Queer and Trans people, and the second for children and families. After you read please pass on to the next person so that they may also experience Moods of Mehfil.
www.gofundme.com/ help-queer-and-trans-flood-victims-in-pakistan www.savethechildren.org
With thanks to contributors:
Ramneek Chana @ramalogue
Koumal Patel @k.ouma
Milli-Rose Rubin @Milli.rose
Ambrina Abbasi @_toothlessvampire
Ragini Jha @cardamom.counselling
Sammy Hussain @sammysaysstuff
Selina Begum @oboshoi_ami
Abel Berhan
Naila Ali @migrantwomenhistories / @naila_ali_x
Maliha Anas @reddotjournal
Sophie Lin @sophietlin
Sandhya Narayanan @sandhya.creates
Evelyn Miller @evs_1 / @juicedroplet
Amani Saeed @amanithepoet / @thehennahparty
Shirin Naveed @shir.in____
Amad Ilyas @amad.png / @amad.studio
Mehfil Arts @mehfil.arts
Lastly, big love to
The team at Rich Mix @richmixlondon
DAYTIMERS Crew @daytimers_uk
Mehfil team - Rohan Rakhit, Evie Jesuraj, Kunal Lodhia
@rohan_rakhit, @3vlyn, @klodhia
Works of Intent @worksofintent
Printed at Newmans Stationery
www.newmans-stationery.co.uk, Bethnal Green Road, E2 0AG
Rich Mix Resonates is a programme that brings local people together with artists and collectives at Rich Mix to make connections, start collaborations and co-create culture.
@richmixlondon richmix.org.uk
Have a listen to our Moods of Mehfil playlist here which we have been curating in sessions and outside of them for the past few weeks
Supported by Tower Hamlets Council and the Mayor’s COVID Recovery Fund