Hyderabad, June 18 -- Urdu programmes are typically known for their lyrical verses, thunderous claps, and a chorus of wah-wah. But last Sunday, it wasn't just poetry in the air - the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling kebabs and spicy biryani filled the venue. The audience found themselves deliciously torn between shayeri and shahi khana, and it was hard to tell which stole the show - both were equally intoxicating.

They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach - and this time-honored saying proved true yet again. For the past four weeks, organizers of Urdu Asnaaf-e-Sukhan Goi had been struggling to draw crowds to their literary gatherings aimed at promoting the Urdu language. But last Sunday, they turned the tide - both with wor...