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General Questions
Technical Questions
Readers' Poetry
General Questions
Q. I am having trouble playing an audio file. Every time I click on a link, I get the message "You are not allowed to see this file/directory"?
A. You get this error message when trying to access an audio file on our servers from another web site (other than mushaira.org). This is because we do not allow 'hot-linking' and we use bandwidth
theft prevention technology. However, if you get that error message when you click on a link on
our site, please hit "Refresh" on the link page and click on the poetry link again. This will let
you access the audio files. If it continues to happen, clearing your computer's cache can be useful.
In any case, please try to use the latest version of RealPlayer that's available for free from Real Networks at http://www.real.com/player/.
Q. What happened to the pages that were in Urdu font?
A. There have been many compatibility issues related
to Urdu fonts. We have temporarily deactivated those pages while we work on a
permanent and an easy solution.
Q. How often do you add new poetry clips?
A. There is no fixed schedule for that, but new clips are added frequently.
Q. Is the use of Mehfil-e-Mushaira free of cost?
A. There is no charge whatsoever to use the site.
However, to offset some of the costs to run this site, financial contributions are welcomed.
If interested, please use this link.
Q. Does Mehfil-e-Mushaira get any grants or funds from any organization?
A. No, we don't.
Q. Quality of audio is poor for some ghazals. Can you put better quality clips?
A. We do our best to provide our audience quality audio. However, sometimes
the original recording from mushairas is not very good, especially in case of very old mushairas.
Q. Can I send you some very popular Urdu poetry in my own voice?
A. The purpose of this site is to feature audio clips of poetry recited by poets in mushairas (poetry readings).
Q. How can I contribute to your site?
A. There are many ways you can contribute. Please see
Your Contribution page for information.
Q. I am a young poet from Lahore, Pakistan, and my poetry
has been published in many Urdu magazines. Can I record my own poetry and send it to
you for your site?
A. If it is recited in a mushaira or mushaira-like-setting, it
may be posted on our site.
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Technical Questions
Q. Why can't we download the audio files from your site?
A. This is the way most of the audio clips are digitized at Mehfil-e-Mushaira.
It's part of our policy for some technical and other reasons. However, in some cases, we can (and do)
send out an audio file or two to individuals who request it by e-mail.
Q. I cannot listen to audio files. Whenever I try, I get an error
message.
A. If you are having problem listening to the audio clips on our
site, it could be for any of the following reasons:
- You don not have RealPlayer installed on your computer
- You have not configured your RealPlayer properly
- You are behind a firewall and have not configured the RealPlayer to access audio files from
external sites. Please contact your server administrator to find out how to access audio files
from external sites on your network.
- The internet connection is weak and is breaking up before the clip is downloaded fully or
partly (based on your RealPlayer settings).
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Readers' Poetry
Q. Why do I have to register with Mehfil-e-Mushaira before submitting my poetry?
A. The registration is now required to make it easier for our
readers to keep their information current with us and not to have to enter all the information
each time they submit their poetry. After you register, you will not have to enter general
info every time. It will instead be pulled automatically from the database when you log in.
Another benefit of registration is to keep different poets' poetry separate even if they have the same name.
The registration on Mehfil-e-Mushaira is FREE and without any commitment. We do not and
will not sell or share your personal information with third parties. If you do not want
your email address to be published with your poetry, you may set your preference in your
profile to make your email address non-public.
Q. How can I get my poetry posted on Mehfil-e-Mushaira?
A. Please use the Poetry Submission Form to submit
your poetry.
Q. What is the criteria for Readers' Poetry postings?
A. The poetry must be yours. It should not have any racist, vulgur or
offensive language. It should be presentable to a general audience.
Q. How long it takes to publish my poetry in
Readers' Poetry section once I submit it?
A. As you submit your poetry, it is assigned to editors who
determine if it's appropraite to be posted on the site. Depending on the availability of our
editors, the posting time can vary from a few days to many weeks. Please keep in mind that
Mehfil-e-Mushaira is a non-commercial web site and we do not have full-time editors.
Q. Does the poetry I send you have to be in Urdu?
A. The language of poetry must be Urdu. However, since not all of
our readers and audience have Urdu fonts available on their computers, one should send it in
roman characters -- the way it is posted in Readers' Poetry section.
Q. Is your Readers' Poetry section mederated?
A. Yes, it is moderated.
Q. Are there any prizes for readers' poetry?
A. Mehfil-e-Mushaira conducts a monthly online poetry competition.
Winner(s) are typically given prizes each month. If you are interested in participating in
poetry competition, please visit our competition pages.
Q. I submitted my ghazal two months ago, but it never got posted. Why?
A. Most probably it was considered inappropriate to be posted on
our site. You may ask us about the status of your poetry by sending us an
e-mail. In your e-mail, Please
mention your name, submission ID
and the first misra of your ghazal or the title of your nazm.
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