Brilliantly meticulous study of the composite literary traditions of eighteenth-century India with Vali as the pivot. Literary histories of Hindi and Urdu covering this period with such depth, insight and eloquence are rare.

Syed Akbar Hyder, The University of Texas at Austin, Professor & Director of South Asia Institute, USA

This engrossing study of the flowering of the literary language Rekhtah, precursor to modern Urdu and Hindi, is the result of close collaboration between two eminent scholars from different disciplines. At its center is the poet Vali whose oeuvre emerges as part of a broad community of poets, connoisseurs, and critics. The surprising and delightful connections between multiple eighteenth century literary cultures in India deepen our knowledge of the period.

Sunil Sharma, Professor of Persianate & Comparative Literature, Boston University, USA

Sharing Poetry's Pleasures, a remarkable product of a years'-long collaboration between two fine scholars, opens to us the vibrant, multi-faceted, self-aware and interactive literary culture of 18th century India, with the poet Vali at its center. Taking on existing scholarship and revisiting the older classics, this book is comprehensive, corrective, informative, smart, and a great pleasure to read.

Carla Petievich, Professor Carla Petievich (Retd.), South Asia Institute, University of Texas at Austin, USA