Tawaif: Tracing the History of Courtesans in Hindi Cinema

By HT Brand Studio

Published on Sept 27, 2024 09:35 am IST

The essay highlights 10 films, ranging from the 1950s to the 1980s, which portray courtesans as pivotal figures in the rich traditions of Nawabi culture.

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1 / 10

Indar Sabha (1956), was based on one of the first complete Urdu plays of India written by  Agha Hasan Amanat, and first staged in 1853. It was directed by Nanubhai B. Vakil and narrates the story of an apsara (celestial dancer) sent to test the moral fiber of a benevolent king.Indar Sabha (1956), Lobby Card, POP.12660, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy MAP Bengaluru

Published on Sept 27, 2024 09:35 am IST

Indar Sabha (1956), was based on one of the first complete Urdu plays of India written by Agha Hasan Amanat, and first staged in 1853. It was directed by Nanubhai B. Vakil and narrates the story of an apsara (celestial dancer) sent to test the moral fiber of a benevolent king.Indar Sabha (1956), Lobby Card, POP.12660, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy MAP Bengaluru

2 / 10

2. Shama (1981), directed by Naeem Basit shows the Nawab culture of Sultanpur and stars the late Kannada playwright Girish Karnad and actress Shabana Azmi. Aruna Irani features as Pheroza, an Awadhi courtesan. Shama (1981), Music Booklet, POP.23974, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru

Published on Sept 27, 2024 09:35 am IST

2. Shama (1981), directed by Naeem Basit shows the Nawab culture of Sultanpur and stars the late Kannada playwright Girish Karnad and actress Shabana Azmi. Aruna Irani features as Pheroza, an Awadhi courtesan. Shama (1981), Music Booklet, POP.23974, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru

3 / 10

3.Utsav (1984), directed by Girish Karnad, was based on Sudraka’s Sanskrit play Mrichakatika (The Little Clay Cart). Rekha plays the courtesan Vasantsena who is desired by all but falls in love with the married musician Charudutta (played by Shekhar Suman). The film also captures the author, Vatsayana (played by Amjad Khan) of the Kamasutra.  Utsav (1984), Lobby Card,  POP.18915, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru

Published on Sept 27, 2024 09:35 am IST

3.Utsav (1984), directed by Girish Karnad, was based on Sudraka’s Sanskrit play Mrichakatika (The Little Clay Cart). Rekha plays the courtesan Vasantsena who is desired by all but falls in love with the married musician Charudutta (played by Shekhar Suman). The film also captures the author, Vatsayana (played by Amjad Khan) of the Kamasutra. Utsav (1984), Lobby Card, POP.18915, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru

4 / 10

4. Mughal-e-Azam (1960), directed by K. Asif, is often considered the magnum opus of Indian Cinema. With a budget of INR 250 crore, it was shot over 15 years with more than twenty songs. However, over a hundred hours of celluloid footage was discarded while editing. The film narrates the love story of the royal courtesan Anarkali and Salim Jahangir, prince of Mughal India and son of emperor Akbar. Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Film Poster, POP.15604, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru

Published on Sept 27, 2024 09:35 am IST

4. Mughal-e-Azam (1960), directed by K. Asif, is often considered the magnum opus of Indian Cinema. With a budget of INR 250 crore, it was shot over 15 years with more than twenty songs. However, over a hundred hours of celluloid footage was discarded while editing. The film narrates the love story of the royal courtesan Anarkali and Salim Jahangir, prince of Mughal India and son of emperor Akbar. Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Film Poster, POP.15604, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru

5 / 10

5. Pakeezah (1972), directed by Kamal Amrohi and starring Meena Kumari, Raaj Kumar and Ashok Kumar, portrays the story of Sahibjaan, a Lucknow based Tawaif and her tragic love story with the son of a nawab. This vinyl cover features the real life married couple Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi on the sets of Pakeezah.  Pakeezah (1972), Vinyl Cover, POP.18140, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru

Published on Sept 27, 2024 09:35 am IST

5. Pakeezah (1972), directed by Kamal Amrohi and starring Meena Kumari, Raaj Kumar and Ashok Kumar, portrays the story of Sahibjaan, a Lucknow based Tawaif and her tragic love story with the son of a nawab. This vinyl cover features the real life married couple Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi on the sets of Pakeezah. Pakeezah (1972), Vinyl Cover, POP.18140, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru

6 / 10

6. Mirza Ghalib (1954), is a Hindi and Urdu language biographical film, directed by Sohrab Modi. As a biopic of the acclaimed poet Mirza Ghalib, the film was instantaneously popular upon release. It stars Bharat Bhushan as Ghalib and Suraiya as Moti Begum, his tawaif lover. Mirza Ghalib (1954), Lobby Card, POP.18555, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru

Published on Sept 27, 2024 09:35 am IST

6. Mirza Ghalib (1954), is a Hindi and Urdu language biographical film, directed by Sohrab Modi. As a biopic of the acclaimed poet Mirza Ghalib, the film was instantaneously popular upon release. It stars Bharat Bhushan as Ghalib and Suraiya as Moti Begum, his tawaif lover. Mirza Ghalib (1954), Lobby Card, POP.18555, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru

7 / 10

7. Anarkali (1953), is a historical drama film, directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal. It was the top grossing Hindi film in the year of its release. While Mughal-e-Azam was from the perspective of emperor Akbar, Anarkali narrates the story from the perspective of Anarkali, the character. Anarkali (1953), Film Poster, POP.00892, MAP Collection, MAP Bengaluru

Published on Sept 27, 2024 09:35 am IST

7. Anarkali (1953), is a historical drama film, directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal. It was the top grossing Hindi film in the year of its release. While Mughal-e-Azam was from the perspective of emperor Akbar, Anarkali narrates the story from the perspective of Anarkali, the character. Anarkali (1953), Film Poster, POP.00892, MAP Collection, MAP Bengaluru

8 / 10

8. Sunghursh ("Struggle") is a 1968 film directed and produced by Harnam Singh Rawail. It is based on Layli Ashmaner Ayna ("Layli Does Not Go To Heaven"), a short story in Bengali language by Jnanpith award-winning writer Mahasweta Devi. Here, Vayjayanthimala features as Laila, a Banaras based courtesan. She is used as a seductress to lure Dilip Kumar (pandit) in the trap of his enemies. Sunghursh (1968), Music Booklet, POP.17799, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru.

Published on Sept 27, 2024 09:35 am IST

8. Sunghursh ("Struggle") is a 1968 film directed and produced by Harnam Singh Rawail. It is based on Layli Ashmaner Ayna ("Layli Does Not Go To Heaven"), a short story in Bengali language by Jnanpith award-winning writer Mahasweta Devi. Here, Vayjayanthimala features as Laila, a Banaras based courtesan. She is used as a seductress to lure Dilip Kumar (pandit) in the trap of his enemies. Sunghursh (1968), Music Booklet, POP.17799, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru.

9 / 10

9. Mujhe Jeene Do (1963) is a classic dacoit drama directed by Moni Bhattacharjee and written by Aghajani Kashmeri. It narrates the love story of the dacoit Thakhur Jernail Singh (Sunil Dutt) of Chambal Valley and the tawaif Chameli (Waheeda Rehman). Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), Lobby Still, POP.12562, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru.

Published on Sept 27, 2024 09:35 am IST

9. Mujhe Jeene Do (1963) is a classic dacoit drama directed by Moni Bhattacharjee and written by Aghajani Kashmeri. It narrates the love story of the dacoit Thakhur Jernail Singh (Sunil Dutt) of Chambal Valley and the tawaif Chameli (Waheeda Rehman). Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), Lobby Still, POP.12562, Gift from Richa and Jamshed Chinoy, MAP Bengaluru.

10 / 10

10. Umrao Jaan (1981) is an Indian musical drama film directed by Muzaffar Ali. It stars Rekha as a Lucknow based tawaif, Umrao Jaan Ada. Rekha's performance in the lead role was highly acclaimed as one of the greatest performances in Hindi cinema. The movie was also a commercial success, ranking as one of the highest-grossing films of the year.  MAP is grateful to Richa and Jamshed Chinoy for gifting this collection.

Published on Sept 27, 2024 09:35 am IST

10. Umrao Jaan (1981) is an Indian musical drama film directed by Muzaffar Ali. It stars Rekha as a Lucknow based tawaif, Umrao Jaan Ada. Rekha's performance in the lead role was highly acclaimed as one of the greatest performances in Hindi cinema. The movie was also a commercial success, ranking as one of the highest-grossing films of the year. MAP is grateful to Richa and Jamshed Chinoy for gifting this collection.

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