Nagarvadhu
Courtesan in ancient India
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/Amrapali_greets_Buddha_Roundel_36_buddha_ivory_tusk.jpg/250px-Amrapali_greets_Buddha_Roundel_36_buddha_ivory_tusk.jpg)
Nagarvadhu or Nagar Vadhu (Devanagari: नगरवधू) ("bride of the city") was a tradition followed in some parts of 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 royalcourtesan; 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
- Amrapali, state courtesan and Buddhist disciple, described in Vaishali Ki Nagarvadhu by Acharya Chatursen
- Vasantasena, a character in the classic Sanskrit story of Mricchakatika, written in the 2nd century BC by Śūdraka
- Madhavi, a character in the classic Tamil story of Silappatikaram, written by Ilango Adigal
See also
- Devadasi
- Deuki
- Ca trù, a similar profession in Vietnam
- Qiyan, a similar profession in Arab
- Geisha, a similar profession in Japan
- Shirabyōshi, a similar profession in Japan
- Kisaeng, a similar profession in Korea
- Gaṇikā, a similar profession in India
- Tawaif, a similar profession in India
- Gējì, a similar profession in China
References
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- Aadhiya system
- Chukri System
- Dance bar system
- Nagarvadhu system
- Nautch system
- Tawaif
- Amar Prem
- Born into Brothels
- Bazaar
- Bazaar-e-Husn
- Chameli
- Chandni Bar
- Dev.D
- Devdas (1955 film)
- Devdas (2002 film)
- Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
- Mandi
- Meghadūta
- Pakeezah
- Pati Patni Aur Tawaif
- Pyaasa
- Sadak
- Sadhna
- Salaam Bombay!
- Tawaif
- The Other Song
- Umrao Jaan Ada (novel)
- Umrao Jaan (1981 film)
- Umrao Jaan (2006 film)
- Zubeidaa
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