Nagarvadhu
Category of courtesans in Ancient India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nagarvadhu (also Nagaravadhu or Nagar Vadhu; Devanagari: नगरवधू; lit. 'bride of the city') was a tradition followed in some parts of ancient 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 a royal courtesan; people could watch her dance and sing.[2] A Nagarvadhu's price for a single night's dance was very high, and was only accessible to the wealthy, such as 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
