Glossary

Tawaif

Tawaif

A dancer, singer or entertainer trained in Hindustani classical music, ghazals, dance forms such as Kathak, literature and shayari (poetry). They were also considered to be experts in etiquette and catered primarily to Mughal and Nawabi nobility and courtiers in Northern India. From the Hindi and Urdu word tavayaf, meaning “courtesan.”

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