My name is "Gauhar Jaan" - A tawaif who slayed in the 1900s

"Ras ke bhare tore nain saanwariya

Ras ke bhare tore nain......"

(Your eyes are full of sweet syrup, 
O beloved, Your eyes are full of sweetness)

So, if you have not heard this song yet, "Now" is the time! Sung by the prominent Gauhar Jaan- India's first pop-star. All the more reason to listen to this song. She was trained in Classical Hindustani vocals, kathak and composed ghazals under the pen-name "Hamdam" and mastered "Rabindra Sangeet" before turning 15! Sounds cool, Right? She made a huge fanbase and started travelling for her shows. So, 'It is pre-independence India and Indians are prohibited from riding in buggies but Jaan defies this rule and opts to pay a fine of Rs. 1000/- a day, as an act of resistance.'  - This was also a sense of individualism associated with the idea of liberty. 

Jaan shot to fame in 1903, after 78 rpm records were manufactured and distributed in India. She was especially known for condensing elaborate Hindustani classical tracks to just three and a half minutes for a record, making the music easier to consume by audiences across the nation.  From 1902 to 1920, Jaan made 600 records in several languages including Bengali, Hindi, English, Gujarati, Tamil, Marathi, Arabic, Persian, Pashto and French. She would end each performance with a proud declaration of "My name is Gauhar Jaan!" and was even invited to perform at King George V's coronation in New Delhi in 1911.  She was totally nailing it, especially in those days, when other women were following the purdah etiquette, ehh!  

Gauhar Jaan - In vogue!

As a star of her times, Gauhar's flamboyant nature and feisty attitude set her apart. She famously threw a lavish party costing Rs. 20,000/-  when her cat produced a litter of kittens. You must be wondering, how did she make this money? Well! Well! She was paid Rs.300/- for one recording session. 

A fierce and a dauntless woman who was ahead of her time, she had a say in where she would perform. Unlike, tamasha, her performance was adhered to a social structure and she decided "the male gaze" which would fall upon her. Of course, a kind of ishq and bhaav that has no name was experienced, seen and felt by not only 'Jaan' but by all the 'Tawaifs.' 

Has this miniscule information enticed you and increased your curiousity? If not, stay connected to know more. Please feel free to drop your comments or recommendations. I will be more than happy to accommodate them. Happy Reading! :)