The history of Marsiya is as old as Arabic poetry and many poets from Lucknow including Mir Anees and Dabir tried their hands at this genre.
The word has been derived from the Arabic word Marthiya that is used to remember the deceased in good words.
For centuries poets have been penning down the laments about the virtues of Imam Hussain (RA), martyrs of Karbala (a city in Iraq) and the misfortunes that befell them.
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As per Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letter (PAL) Dr Yousuf Khushk, Marsiya has had a profound effect on Urdu literature.
The events that took place in the battle of Karbala highlighted in marsiyas have a significant effect on every school of thought.
The tradition of marsiya is very strong in Pakistan for ages especially in the month of Muharram.