[Book excerpt] The book shows how the figure of the courtesan has shaped the Indian erotic, political and religious imagination over the years.

Courtesans in Bollywood: How the tawaif transitioned into 'modern' Indian woman

[Book excerpt] The courtesan represents higher culture derived from royal courts as she and her house have a lot in common with upper-class women and their homes.

The author is a professor at the University of Montana, where she directs South and South-East Asian Studies. She earlier taught at Delhi University and co-founded Manushi, India’s first nationwide feminist magazine.

Ruth Vanita

Academic

The author is a professor at the University of Montana, where she directs South and South-East Asian Studies. She earlier taught at Delhi University and co-founded Manushi, India’s first nationwide feminist magazine.

By Ruth Vanita