LUCKNOW: Writings of late historian and LGBTQ rights activist Saleem Kidwai on women singers and Begum Akhtar were discussed by his friend and student Saba Dewan on the second day of the ongoing five-day Mahindra Sanatkada Festival on Saturday.
Talking about Begum Akhtar, she said the Mallika-e-Ghazal was loved and admired by all as much as for her musical mastery as for her warmth and charm. She had a close association with Kidwai.
"Begum Akhtar was named Akhtari bai by her mother Mushtari bai who was a courtesan. Historically these women courtesans have been found mention in literary sources like Kautilya's Arthshastra and Vatsayayana's Kamasutra as Kanika, Nati and Rupajiva. However, the word tawaif was used for the first time in 18th century text for female singers and dancers," Diwan said.
Describing the real meaning of the word 'tawaif' or courtesan, she said it was the plural of Arabic word Taifa meaning group or community who moved around and settled down. "These were female performers belonging to nomadic and semi nomadic resourceless tribes and castes whose traditional occupations included music and dance," Diwan added.
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