Nagarvadhu
Nagarvadhu or Nagar Vadhu (
Vedic India
.
Women competed to win the title of a Nagarvadhu, and there was no taboo against the practice.[1] The most beautiful woman, and most talented in various dance forms, was chosen as the Nagarvadhu.
A Nagarvadhu was respected, and she was a courtesan; people could watch her dance and sing.[2] A Nagarvadhu's price for a single night's dance was very high, and she was only within the reach of the very rich – the emperors, kings, princes and lords.
Famous Nagarvadhus
- Acharya Chatursen
- Śūdraka
- Silappatikaram, written by Ilango Adigal
See also
- Devadasi
- Deuki
- Ca trù, a similar profession in Vietnam
- Tayū, a similar profession in Japan
- Geisha, a similar profession in Japan
- Kisaeng, a similar profession in Korea
- Tawaif, a similar profession in Mughal India
- Yiji, a similar profession in China
References
- ^ Spectrum lead article, The Sunday Tribune, 24 Dec 2000
- ^ "~viktor/wisdom/osho/marriage". phys.uni-sofia.bg. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2014.