A Tale of Unconventional Love

In the age of dating apps, where finding love is just a matter of a few swipes, the emotion seems to have lost its worth. Like someone? Swipe right. Don't like someone? Swipe left. Don't like the person you liked earlier? Start swiping again. It's as simple as that and it's as messed up as that, which is precisely why modern love stories have lost their charm. 

So, in the time of swipes, don't you want to remember the love that was? When you saw someone and actually thought "zindagi dhoop tum ghana saaya"? 

Mohabbat hai, toh kya hai?

For centuries, tawaifs (courtesans) have been an integral part of South Asian culture, often embodying the perfect mixture of beauty, wit and cunning. I have discovered some stories of tawaifs that leave behind a legacy of love, loyalty, compassion and dedication. From the tragic story of Zia Azeemabaadi, who willingly sacrificed her life for the love of her life, to the selfless act of Saabra, who gave up her wealth to save her lover's business, to the inspiring story of Bee Chhuttan, who supported her young lover in getting educated and then got him married to a girl of his mother's choice; these stories of the tawaifs of Patna City leave you in awe of their strength and courage.

At a wedding in Diwan Mohalla, Dharikshan Tiwari was presented with an experience that was sure to leave an everlasting impression on him - the captivating performance of Tanno Bai. Being a priest, a Brahmin, and in the presence of a tawaif, Dharikshan was entranced by her singing, nodding his head in appreciation with each pause of the song. Tanno Bai noticed him, and kept singing directly to him for the remainder of the night. Dharikshan remained captivated and silent, captivated by the beauty of the music and the skill of the artist.

Lost in Thought: The Melancholic Courtesan

It was the day that changed Dharikshan Tiwari's life forever - the day he met the beautiful Tanno Bai. He had heard of her singing and was captivated by her voice. Everywhere Tanno performed, Dharikshan followed. He arrived at every mujra that Tanno was to perform at without fail.

Tanno was taken aback by Dharikshan's devotion. She allowed him to sit in the very front row, and it seemed like she was singing just for him. Though Dharikshan was charmed by her singing, he only exchanged greetings with her. He never crossed the line, no matter how much he desired to do so.

Despite Dharikshan's silent admiration, Tanno had noticed his presence and wanted to express her gratitude. After almost twenty-five mujras, Tanno offered Dharikshan a paan as a sign of her appreciation. Dharikshan pressed the paan against his forehead as a sign of respect and kept it in his pocket, unwrapping it from his handkerchief. Tanno smiled, knowing that Dharikshan could not consume the paan, but kept it close to his heart anyway. Hai na Khoobsoorat? To not need words but gestures to express your love.

From that day onwards, the relationship between Dharikshan and Tanno changed. He continued to follow her wherever she went, and her singing continued to mesmerize him. Although they never spoke of it, they both knew that their friendship was something special. Months and years passed by admiring each other from a distance. But one day, a wealthy landlord from Kachaudi Gali invited Tanno to a five-day mehfil. She had been awarded an advance of a thousand silver coins. When she arrived, she looked around for Dharikshan Tiwari but he was nowhere to be found.

Desperate, when she finally asked her tabalchi, he said, “Bee Sahiba, picchli poornima ki raat Tiwari ji ka intekaal ho gaya.” (Bee Sahiba, Tiwari ji passed away the past full moon night.)

Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized she was unable to perform. She knew she had to face the landlord who had paid her for her performance.

She slowly walked up to him and bowed her head in apology. "Muaaf kariyega, Zamindar sahab! Aaj main nahin ga sakungi." (I apologize, Zamindar sahab. I won't be able to sing today.) She handed him back the pouch of silver coins. The vibrant kotha of Tanno bai became deserted and colourless. She stopped performing and remained in sorrow. But eventually, she had to resume performing for her staff members. Her kotha was vibrant again but there was a deep sorrow in her eyes that persisted. They were always shrouded in a veil of sadness. This is what mohabbat does to us! She performed for years but gradually stopped and spent her time worshipping till she passed away in her fifties.

Months after Dharikshan Tiwari’s death, his wife found a dried out paan nicely folded and preserved in his handkerchief. She had always known him to be someone who never consumed paan. This dried out paan would always remain a mystery for her. Stories like this reminds us of the love that was!

Have you ever craved for someone's presence? To feel merged in a space, undefined. It's walls are feelings, it's dimensions are the echoes of the sayings of your beloved, etched deep inside. To feel your beloved in silence, just as in words. This is what I call as Mohabbat! 

"Well, the forbidden love affair between the tawaif and the priest transcended social conventions to blossom into a beautiful romance that will be remembered for years to come."

Mohabbat hai, toh ye hai!