Mujra: Bollywood’s Courtesan Genre
Real-life Actresses who played the role of a Courtesan in Reel life.
Introduction
While dancing has been a part of every civilization, the idea of ‘courtesan’ has seen mention since the Vedic period circa (1000 B.C.). A prostitute is someone (mostly a woman) who employs themselves in (sexual) activities in exchange for payment.
Whereas a courtesan (‘tawaif’ in India) is a highly sophisticated prostitute, who excels in music, dance, theater and literature.
Over time there have been all sorts of prostitutes, from ‘vesya’ (another Indian term for prostitute) to temple dancers (also known as devadasis), to highly-respected courtesan called mujrawali / mujra - dancer, who were well educated in all forms of performing arts.
The media, whether in print, television, or cinema, has portrayed women in all sorts of images. The Indian film industry has effectively created films that incorporated the different facets of women in our nation.
Popularly known as Bollywood, this industry comes up with at least 200 releases every year and is among the largest in the world. From these, many of the movie producers feature actresses playing the bold role of a courtesan.
Courtesan songs originated in temples through devadasis and gradually reached Kothas and concert halls. While the courtesan tradition degenerated, their private performances dwindled considerably. But their art was not completely lost. With the growth of Bollywood, their music started incorporating itself into popular Hindi movies, though in a somewhat changed manner, which catered to the interest of the masses; it soon became part of the popular culture.
This curation shines a light on a few leading actresses who have played the courtesan role.
[These are all placeholder images, to be changed if screenshots or other images can be provided]
Song: Ab Aage Teri Marzi O More SainyaShemaroo
‘Devdas’ (1955)
Directed by Bimal Roy shows Vyjayanthimala in her first dramatic role as Chandramukhi, a Courtesan.
The role of a courtesan that many actresses refused to play because of the character.
Song: Ab Aage Teri Marzi O More SainyaShemaroo
Hand gestures and facial expressions
Vyjayantimala, an actress who was viewed as the ‘First Female Superstar’ of Indian cinema, and also became one of the most prominent actresses in the golden era of Bollywood. She was the first to completely change the standard and style of dancing in Indian cinema.
The on-screen characters played by Vyjayanthimala were considered unconventional for the time. What set her apart from other actresses was her style of classical dancing and expressions.
Ab Aage Teri Marzi (Song Still)Shemaroo
‘Ab Aage Teri Marzi’
In this song, she tries to impress Devdas (role played by Dilip Kumar), with whom she has just met and immediately fell in love with. A typical ‘Kotha’ (Brothel) setting is seen where there are men sitting around the room devouring alcohol, throwing money, watching and praising.
Song: O Aanewale Ruk Jaa Koii DamShemaroo
‘O Aanewaale Ruk Jaa'
Boldly playing the role of a Courtesan once again, Vyjayanthimala here dances just for Devdas, as she is trying to get him to talk to her, but fails in doing so.
Interestingly, Vyjayanthimala won Filmfare’s Best Supporting Actress Award for the portrayal of Chandramukhi in ‘Devdas’ but she refused to accept it stating that she was not playing a supporting role. Her character was as important as Paro’s, played by Suchitra Sen in the film.
Song: Aise Waise Thikanon Pe JaanaShemaroo
‘Sadhna’ (1958)
A spectacular song from the film Sadhna directed by B.R. Chopra showing Vyjayanthimala in her best form, where at such a young age she was able to pull off the role of a courtesan.
Song: Aise Waise Thikanon Pe JaanaShemaroo
'Aise Waise Thikanon Pe Jaana Bura Hai'
The dull path that leads to a place where ‘decent’ men don't go. A place ringing with the beats of the tabla and bejeweled ladies dancing among men sitting all around the hall, this is the picture that Bollywood has painted of a prostitute.
This song perfectly describes that painted picture through both; lyrics and the scenes shown.
Song: Aise Waise Thikanon Pe JaanaShemaroo
Audience
The song, as others, has a typical open hall dance floor setting.
A song where she is the only female present in the hall.
Song: Kaho Jee Tum Kya Kya KharidogeShemaroo
'Kaho Jee Tum Kya Kya Kharidoge'
Another song from the film Sadhna that tells us about how these Courtesans sell themselves. The lyrics of the title literally translate to, ‘Tell me what will you buy’.
Vyjayanthimala won Filmfare’s Best Actress Award for her role in ‘Sadhna’ and this time she had no reason to decline. Interestingly, she competed with herself as she was also nominated for her title role in Bimal Roy’s ‘Madhumati’ the same year but eventually won it for ‘Sadhna’.
Song: Kaho Jee Tum Kya Kya KharidogeShemaroo
The theme of re-establishment
In this film, Vyjayanthimala again played the role of a Courtesan/prostitute, but this time with the lead role.
It has the theme of re-establishment of prostitutes which was a controversial topic back in 1958.
Furthermore the film, through its lyrics portrayed and questioned the society's view on prostitutes.
Song: Kaho Jee Tum Kya Kya KharidogeShemaroo
‘Anarkali’
The dance and the expressions were just one of the few qualities a courtesan had. The other aspects of a courtesan that had a great impact on the film industry as well as the fashion trends, were the clothes and the jewelry that they were adorned with.
For example, the ‘Anarkali’ style dresses were first known during the Mughal period, and, in fact, got its name from a renowned courtesan, Anarkali.
Song: Kaho Jee Tum Kya Kya KharidogeShemaroo
But it gained more importance and popularity after the film ‘Mughal-E-Azam’ (1960), in which Madhubala played the role of Mujra dancer (named Anarkali).
Always shown wearing the same style of dresses, a dress which is long, in which the bodice is cinched just below the chest and the rest of the dress is flowing usually till the knee.
Song: Aurat Ne Janam Diya MardonShemaroo
The unseen world of a courtesan
''Sadhna'' also had a very moving song, “Aurat ne janam diya mardon ko, mardon ne usse bazaar diya”
Filmed on Vyjayanthimala, the hard-hitting song written by Sahir Ludhianvi brings out the pathos & inner feelings of a fallen woman and tells us that how the life of a mujra dancer is not always as glamorous as shown on screen.
Song: Mushkil Hai Bahoot Mushkil…Jis Roop Mein[Part 1 & 2]Shemaroo
‘Dhoop Chhaon’ (1977)
A film directed by Prahlad Sharma, starring Hema Malini and Sanjeev Kumar. Given the title of ‘The Dream Girl’ of Bollywood, even Hema Malani has portrayed herself as a Mujra dancer / Courtesan for this film. Dressed in a traditional costume (Anarkali) adorned from head to foot with jewelry, she is a picture to be desired for.
Song: Mushkil Hai Bahoot Mushkil…Jis Roop Mein[Part 1 & 2]Shemaroo
'Dream Girl'
One of the highest-paid actresses of the 1970s, in this song, is shown portraying total surrender which is depicted by her graceful eye expressions and body postures.
An age-old tradition of a kotha is seen here with a male-centered audience devouring alcohol.
Song: Kitna Hai Khoobsoorat Logon Ka Yeh Bahana [Part 1 & 2]Shemaroo
'Daasi' (1981)
Directed by Raj Khosla, starring Rekha, who is to date known for her attire and her dancing skills, has given a spectacular performance in this song marking all the qualities that a mujra dancer should have.
Song: Kitna Hai Khoobsoorat Logon Ka Yeh Bahana [Part 1 & 2]Shemaroo
'Daasi' (1981)
Hindi films feel incomplete without the presence of a ‘Heroine’, by adding the role of a courtesan the film offers the viewers a break from the wife and wife-to-be narrative.
Not all mujra dancers are mere performers, they have also been portrayed as lovers or one-sided lover who cannot marry due to their position and status given by the society, just like in this film.
The shift from ‘Mujra’ to ‘Item number’ is a part of this transformation. A much bolder version of a Mujra dance is an Item song in today's industry, to tempt the viewers. These songs have kept evolving since the 1980s. For instance, ‘Saat Samandar Paar’ from the film ‘Vishwatma’ (1992), was one of Bollywood's first ‘Item Song’ in which the Actress is represented as a seductive object just like the Courtesans.
Song: Hamari Atariya PeShemaroo
Dedh Ishqiya (2014)
Here we can also see how the Kotha and the Item Song setting blend together. But at the same time where the Courtesan performing at her Kotha had received extensive training in classical singing and dancing, the Item Girl simply dances on the catchy tunes with bold lyrics.
Conclusion
Slowly these songs became more and more westernized, there was a rather bold image that was seen, for example, the songs like ‘Beedi Jalai Ley’ from the film ‘Omkara’ (2009); ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ from the film ‘Dabangg’ (2010); ‘Sheila Ki Jawaani’ from the film ‘Tees Maar Khan’ (2010); 'Hamari Atariya Pe' from the film 'Dedh Ishqiya (2014)
Without the contribution of these filmi songs, Indian cinema wouldn't be the same. But Bollywood keeps on changing and transforming itself depending on the needs and demands of its national and global audience.
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