Agra, The City through Poetry

Reading the poets of Agra can make one realise that language is not a barrier but a tool to establish human connections. Be it Nazir Akabarabadi, Ghalib, or Mir Taqi Mir, the city and its culture has been documented beautifully in poetic verses. This tradition has continued with new poets emerging and evolving from different languages and communities. Join us on this poetry walk across the old city as we visit the birthplaces of some great poets, read and talk about the poetry of Agra, and try to understand the submergence of language within the city’s unique cultural richness.

1. 1

   Jama Masjid

   15 min

   We will start our walk from Jama Masjid and continue walking to : - Visit Mirza Ghalib's Birthplace. Learn briefly about his writing genre and emergence of Urdu poetry in the late Mughal period. - Calligraphy workshop- Urdu is known for it's a unique calligraphic script. We visit a calligraphy workshop and discuss the development of language and literature during the Mughal rule. - Walking down the 16th-century shopping street of the city that was once an important part of the silk route. We read a couple of verses from Nazir Akbarabadi and learn how he's documented the city's socio-economical details. - Visit Khankhana Katra. Read Abdur Rahim Khankhana's Hindi Dohas and talk about the submergence of Hindi and Urdu languages. - Live flute performance inside a 17th-century temple - Here we talk about the poetry of Meer Taqi Meet. - Exploring a 16th-century neighborhood and meeting practicing poets of Agra- listen to their poetry and talk about how poetry helps to build stronger human connection and to avoid stereotypes. - Visit 15th-century mosk and talk about the poetic tradition of Agra and listen to some more practicing poets of the city. - Visit family mausoleum of poet Maikash Akbarabadi and talk about his family

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.