Game for some... Mughal musing over musical platters?

Ghalib's Dilli comes alive as live music befriends pretty platters at some old world eateries in town

Ghalib's Dilli comes alive as live music befriends pretty platters at some old world eateries in town

When Delhi was still Dilli and the last of the Shahenshahs ruled and the White Mughals hadn't bombarded their way through all traces of a fine culture, there was a born a tradition. With shayars like Mirza Ghalib filling Dilli's air with poignant words, even the most mundane chores became an indulgence of the senses. Every meal, even the most meager, was turned into a festival accompanied with soulful poetry and songs. The tradition, borrowed from the Mughal palaces, became a part of the not-so-kingly meals as well.

Yeh shaam mastaani: A musical gala in progress at Moti Mahal, Daryaganj

Even when Dilli became Delhi, the tradition lived on. Today, however, you only find hackneyed snatches of the rich heritage recorded Bollywood tracks killing rather than appealing to your tastes.

But in a few quiet pockets, the tradition lives on, where musicians bring the shayars to life as you feast your palate.

Tandoori tale: One such heritage-keeper is the Moti Mahal restaurant at Daryaganj in the Walled City. Established around Independence, the eatery is famous for its juicy tandoori preparations and the khasta rotis. But what many don't know and patrons can't do without, is that it is one of the few places in Delhi where live music accompanies dinner.

So as you relax under the star-lit sky, with just a fragrant mesh of flowering veil keeping the dark night away, ghazals fill the air.
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Though Giri Sharma and Company cannot be termed the best ghazal artists in the city, they add to the intoxicating mix of Old Delhi's romance and lip-smacking Mughlai cuisine. They don't deviate from ghazals and love when diners send in requests.