Tawaif
Encyclopedia
A tawaif was a courtesan
who catered to the nobility of South Asia
, particularly during the era of the Mughal Empire
.
The tawaifs contributed to music, dance, theatre, film, and the Urdu
literary tradition.
region and the artistic atmosphere of 16th century Lucknow
made arts-related careers a viable prospect. As well as the demand for (mostly) male music and dance teachers, many girls were taken at a young age and trained in both performing arts (such as Kathak
and Hindustani classical music
) as well as literature (ghazal
, thumri
) to high standards.
Once they had matured and possessed a sufficient command over dancing and singing, they became a tawaif, high-class courtesans who served the moneyed and the nobility. It is also believed that young nawab
s to be were sent to these "tawaifs" to learn "tameez" and "tehzeeb" which includes the ability to differentiate and appreciate good music and literature, perhaps even practice it, especially the art of ghazal writing.
These courtesans would dance, sing (especially ghazal
s), recite poetry (shairi
) and entertain their suitors at mehfil
s. Like the geisha
tradition in Japan, their main purpose was to professionally entertain their guests, and while sex was often incidental, it was not assured contractually. High-class or the most popular tawaifs could often pick and choose between the best of their suitors.
movies. Films with a tawaif as a central character include Devdas
(1955), Sadhna
(1958), Pakeezah
(1972), Amar Prem
(1972), Umrao Jaan
(1981), Tawaif
(1985), Devdas
(2002), and Umrao Jaan
(2006). Other films depict a tawaif in a supporting role, often in situations where a man goes to them in loveless marriage or life.
Today, the term in Urdu
has undergone semantic pejoration
and is now synonymous with a prostitute.
Courtesan
A courtesan was originally a female courtier, which means a person who attends the court of a monarch or other powerful person.In feudal society, the court was the centre of government as well as the residence of the monarch, and social and political life were often completely mixed together...
who catered to the nobility of South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, particularly during the era of the Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
.
The tawaifs contributed to music, dance, theatre, film, and the Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
literary tradition.
History
The patronage of the Mughal court before and after the Mughal Dynasty in the DoabDoab
A Doab is a term used in India and Pakistan for a "tongue" or tract of land lying between two confluent rivers...
region and the artistic atmosphere of 16th century Lucknow
Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
made arts-related careers a viable prospect. As well as the demand for (mostly) male music and dance teachers, many girls were taken at a young age and trained in both performing arts (such as Kathak
Kathak
Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from Uttar Pradesh, India. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers...
and Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
) as well as literature (ghazal
Ghazal
The ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century...
, thumri
Thumri
Thumri is a common genre of semi-classical Indian music.The text is romantic or devotional in nature, and usually revolves around a girl's love for Krishna. The lyrics are usually in Uttar Pradesh dialects of Hindi called Poorbi and Brij Bhasha...
) to high standards.
Once they had matured and possessed a sufficient command over dancing and singing, they became a tawaif, high-class courtesans who served the moneyed and the nobility. It is also believed that young nawab
Nawab
A Nawab or Nawaab is an honorific title given to Muslim rulers of princely states in South Asia. It is the Muslim equivalent of the term "maharaja" that was granted to Hindu rulers....
s to be were sent to these "tawaifs" to learn "tameez" and "tehzeeb" which includes the ability to differentiate and appreciate good music and literature, perhaps even practice it, especially the art of ghazal writing.
These courtesans would dance, sing (especially ghazal
Ghazal
The ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century...
s), recite poetry (shairi
Shairi
Shairi , also known as Rustavelian Quatrain, is a monorhymed quatrain used by Shota Rustaveli in the Knight in the Panther's Skin....
) and entertain their suitors at mehfil
Mehfil
A mehfil is a gathering or evening of courtly entertainment of poetry or concert of Indian classical music and dance, performed for a small audience in an intimate setting....
s. Like the geisha
Geisha
, Geiko or Geigi are traditional, female Japanese entertainers whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance.-Terms:...
tradition in Japan, their main purpose was to professionally entertain their guests, and while sex was often incidental, it was not assured contractually. High-class or the most popular tawaifs could often pick and choose between the best of their suitors.
Popular culture
The image of the tawaif has had an enduring appeal, immortalized even in BollywoodBollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
movies. Films with a tawaif as a central character include Devdas
Devdas (1955 film)
Devdas is a 1955 film directed by Bimal Roy, based on the Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novel, Devdas.In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.-Plot:...
(1955), Sadhna
Sadhna
Sadhna is a 1958 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Vyjayanthimala and Leela Chitnis.-Awards:* 1958 Filmfare Best Story Award: Mukhram sharma* 1958: Filmfare Best Actress Award : Vyjayanthimala...
(1958), Pakeezah
Pakeezah
Pakeezah is a 1972 Indian film. It was directed by Kamal Amrohi who was known for his perfectionism. The music is by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad...
(1972), Amar Prem
Amar Prem
Amar Prem is a 1971 Hindi film directed by Shakti Samanta, based on a story by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay and starring Sharmila Tagore, Rajesh Khanna, Vinod Mehra and Madan Puri....
(1972), Umrao Jaan
Umrao Jaan
Umrao Jaan is a 1981 Bollywood film, directed by Muzaffar Ali. It is based on the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada , written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa based on the famous Lucknow courtesan...
(1981), Tawaif
Tawaif (film)
Tawaif is a Bollywood movie released in 1985. It was produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by Aleem Mansoor.-Plot:...
(1985), Devdas
Devdas (2002 film)
Devdas is a 2002 Bollywood film based on the 1917 Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novella Devdas. This is the third Hindi version and the first colour film version of the story in Hindi...
(2002), and Umrao Jaan
Umrao Jaan (2006 film)
Umrao Jaan is a Bollywood film about the famous courtesan of the title. Aishwarya Rai stars in the lead role. The film is directed by J.P...
(2006). Other films depict a tawaif in a supporting role, often in situations where a man goes to them in loveless marriage or life.
Today, the term in Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
has undergone semantic pejoration
Semantic change
Semantic change, also known as semantic shift or semantic progression describes the evolution of word usage — usually to the point that the modern meaning is radically different from the original usage. In diachronic linguistics, semantic change is a change in one of the meanings of a word...
and is now synonymous with a prostitute.
Further reading
- Martha Feldman, Bonnie Gordon. The courtesan's arts: cross-cultural perspectives. pp. 312–352.