THE TAWAIF, THE ANTI - NAUTCH MOVEMENT, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC:
Part 2 - The Tawaifs
| Part 1 - Introduction Part 2 - The Tawaifs - This Page Part 3 - Evolution of the Will to End the Tawaifs Part 4 - Evolution of the Means to End the Tawaifs Part 5 - The Anti- Part 6 - The Passing of the Torch Part 7 - Affects of the Anti- Part 8 - Epilogue SUMMARY OF TOPICS COVERED EARLIER The tawaifs were an Indian equivalent of the Japanese Geisha. This series of articles will look at their contribution to the music and dance culture of Northern India. |
There are a few important terms that must be understood. In particular we must be familiar with the terms "tawaif", "nautch", "kotha", and "devdasi".
The word "tawaif" is a word rich with emotional connotations. The term "tawaif" is the plural form of the Arabic "Taifa", and as such meant "group". Today the term has become synonymous with a prostitute. Unfortunately, this is an extreme corruption of the word, and not at all a reflection of this once noble institution.
Kashmeri tawaifs with a hookah. (circa 1854)
The tawaifs were female entertainers. They were in many ways similar to the geishas of Japan. They excelled in the arts of poetry, music, dancing, singing, and were often considered to be the authority on etiquette. By the 18th century they had become a central element in polite, refined north Indian culture. However, their sphere of entertainment also included entertainment of the more erotic variety; it was the latter activity that contributed to their downfall.
"Nautch" is another term that needs to be discussed. Nautch is an anglicised form of the Urdu/ Hindi "nach", which is derived from the term "nachna" which means "to dance". However since the 19th century, the term "nautch-
The confusion of "tawaif" with "nautch-
Picture postcard depicting a "nautch-
Marginally related to the tawaif was the "devdasi". The term "devdasi" literally means "a female servant of God". The devdasis were girls who were attached to the temples. It is important to remember that there was virtually no connection between the devdasis and the tawaifs.
Finally the term "kotha" should be examined. The word kotha implies a multi-
Architectural example of an old kotha / kothi
The Tawaifs at their Height
The zenith of the tawaif is hard to pinpoint. It probably was around the end of the 18th century or beginning of the 19th century. It was during this period that there were a large number of autonomous kingdoms left over from the collapse of the Mogul empire. These autonomous kingdoms were an essential component of the tawaif tradition, because they provided the patronage that the tawaifs required. In return for financial support, the tawaifs maintained the art and culture of the area.
Activities
There were a number of activities in which the tawaifs excelled. They specialised in singing, dancing, poetry, and the erotic arts. Furthermore, they were considered to be the absolute authorities on etiquette, and the social graces. Since they were freed from many of the mundane duties of ordinary women, they were able to elevate these artistic activities to levels that most men could never attain. It was normal for nobility to send their children to the tawaifs to be instructed in the arts and letters.
The tawaifs were considered to be the originators, or at least the popularisers, of several art-
There were also areas that they generally did not delve in. Obviously menial work was out of the question. But it is interesting to note the musical fields in which they seldom indulged. Although they would occasionally play musical instruments, being an accompanist was beneath their dignity. They would usually hire men to play the accompanying instruments such as tabla and sarangi; the status of these musicians was definitely that of "hired help". (Please note that we do not make any mention of the harmonium. This was not invented until the second quarter of the 19th century, so we will discuss this later.)
The dignity of the tawaif may have prevented her from stooping to lowly professions such as playing a musical instruments, but their dignity empowered them at times to acquire massive wealth, political power and even military might. This will be illustrated as we take a brief look at some famous tawaifs.
A Few Famous Tawaifs
The accomplishments of many of the tawaifs would be the subject of a whole book. Obviously we are unable to give a full treatment to the subject here, however a cursory overview of some famous tawaifs will give an indication of the great heights to which many of them attained.
Begum Samru (circa 1753 - 1836) - Begum Samru was a tawaif, who arose to become the ruler of the principality of Sardhana. As a very young girl, she came to live with a European expatriate by the name of Walter Reinhardt Sombre. He was leader of an mercenary army comprised of both native as well as European soldiers. Upon his death, she assumed command of this army, and by means of her extraordinary political, and military abilities, became the ruler of Sardhana. She enjoyed this position until her death in 1836.
Begum Samru
Moran Sarkar - Moran Sarakar was a tawaif who rose to become Queen. She became the wife of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) in 1802. She was considered to be very learned in the arts and letters, and was respected for her philanthropy. It is interesting to note that even though Maharaja Ranjit Singh never minted a coin with his own image, he did mint coins with her image.
Moran Sarkar
Umrao Jaan - It is impossible to discuss the tawaifs without mentioning Umrao Jaan of Lucknow. Unfortunately the various films and novels have taken such artistic liberties with her life, that she exists more as a legend than an actual person. We know for sure that a tawaif by the name of Umrao Jaan existed, but that is about all that we can be certain of. The only details of her life come through the "Umra-
Rekha in 1981 film adaptation of Umrao Jaan
Final Overview of the Tawaif
When everything is considered about the tawaif, an interesting picture emerges. The tawaifs had options open to them that were generally denied women of a more domestic nature. If they had professional aspirations, especially in the artistic fields, they had a virtual monopoly. If they desired to settle down, marriage was always an option. From what we know of history, when this option was taken it was often with only the wealthiest and most well placed men. Remember their mastery of etiquette and the social graces made the tawaifs a "prize catch", for almost any man. If they desired an independent lifestyle, this too was an option which the tawaif could exercise that was denied most women of the period. This is born out by an examination of tax rolls that tend to show only tawaifs as female property owners and tax payers. The tawaifs were often poets and authors, in a period when the majority of women were illiterate. When everything was considered, the tawaifs had, education, independence, money, power, and self-
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