It is rare for a 44-year-old film to attract full theatres during the scorching Indian summer. Yet, the timeless Bollywood classic Umrao Jaan did just that when it returned to cinemas earlier this year.

A Timeless Bollywood Classic

Originally released in 1981, Umrao Jaan is a period drama set in the 1840s, a transformative era in India marked by British expansion and a flourishing princely court culture. The film is based on the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada by Mirza Hadi Ruswa.

Rekha, the legendary Indian actress, shines as the titular Umrao Jaan, whose journey from a kidnapped teenager to a cultured courtesan forms the heart of the story.

The World of the Tawaif

In the movie, Umrao Jaan is trained in a kotha (salon) under the guidance of a khanum (lady instructor). Here, she learns the arts of the tawaif—elite female courtesans skilled in music, dance, poetry, and refined conversation.

Contrary to common misconceptions, tawaifs were not mere companions for sensual pleasure. They were women of intellect and culture, trained to hold their own in courtly debates, artistic performances, and social influence.

In Umrao Jaan, her talent captures the attention of Nawab Sultan, played by Farooq Shaikh, setting the stage for a classic tale of love, heartbreak, and honor.

The Courtesan in Bollywood

Umrao Jaan remains a masterpiece not only for its storytelling but also for its music, featuring the voice of Asha Bhosle, and supporting performances by Naseeruddin Shah and Shaukat Azmi.

The film is also a reminder of “sensible Bollywood”, an era where cinema portrayed history with authenticity, nuance, and respect, preserving the cultural significance of the tawaif.

Bollywood has long been fascinated by stories of courtesans and their royal lovers. For instance:

• 1953: Anarkali, based on Imtiaz Ali Taj’s 1922 play, tells the tragic love story of a Mughal prince and the courtesan Anarkali.

• 1960: Mughal-e-Azam explores similar themes with grandeur, highlighting honor, rebellion, and sacrifice.

• 1972: Kamal Amrohi’s Pakeezah delves into the honor and shame associated with tawaifs in Lucknow.

Historical Importance of Tawaifs

Tawaifs were more than entertainers. They were educated, influential women who engaged in literature, politics, and social discourse. As Professor Veena Talwar Oldenburg notes, they were an elite female class capable of challenging patriarchal norms, celebrating womanhood, and subtly resisting societal restrictions.

Their influence extended into politics. Some, like Azizun Nisa, even participated in anti-colonial activities during the 1857 Indian Rebellion, acting as spies and agitators against British forces.

Decline Under Colonialism

British chroniclers deliberately reduced tawaifs to mere singers and dancers, casting them as morally corrupt. This stigmatization, combined with loss of court patronage and punitive colonial policies, marginalized the tawaif, erasing their intellectual and cultural contributions from public memory.

Academics like Lata Singh highlight that by the late 19th century, the term “tawaif” had acquired a negative connotation, and the community’s artistic and political significance was largely ignored in mainstream discourse.

Cinematic Reinterpretation

Early Bollywood occasionally revived the tawaif narrative with sympathetic portrayals, though often ending in tragedy or seclusion. Rekha’s Umrao Jaan, however, survives adversity while maintaining her dignity and independence.

Later decades, particularly the 1990s and 2000s, saw a shift toward hypersexualized depictions in Bollywood. The “naachganewalis”—modern dance performers—echoed the tawaif heritage but were largely reduced to background entertainment, stripped of agency and intellect.

A Reminder of Cultural Legacy

The packed theatres for Umrao Jaan’s re-release signal a renewed appreciation for authentic, well-rounded portrayals of India’s women. Beyond nostalgia, it reflects a longing for cinema that honors the rich cultural heritage of the tawaif, blending artistry, intellect, and history.