Gender, Sex, and the City

Discover the captivating world of Urdu poetry in Gender, Sex, and the City by R. Vanita, published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2012. This insightful book spans 296 pages and delves into the urban, cosmopolitan sensibilities of Urdu poetry from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, specifically in Lucknow. Ruth Vanita expertly analyzes Rekhti, a unique form of Urdu poetry characterized by a female speaker and a focus on women’s experiences. Through her exploration, Vanita reveals how Rekhti served as a catalyst for the transformation of the traditional ghazal, offering readers a fresh perspective on gender and sexuality in poetic expression. Ideal for poetry enthusiasts and scholars alike, this first edition invites you to engage with the rich cultural tapestry of Urdu literature.