"Breaking the Glass Ceiling: How Women Are Finding Their Voice in a 'Lost in Translation' World"

  Picture a world where love transcends all boundaries, where relationships are not confined to societal norms and expectations. In this world, courtesans were trailblazers, breaking free from the constraints of conservative Indian society and embracing their sexual freedom. For these women, sexuality was not something to be hidden or denied, but rather celebrated and enjoyed. They understood that human desire is a natural and powerful force, and they embraced it fully. Whether with men or women, their physical and emotional relationships were marked by passion, intimacy, and mutual respect. They referred to themselves as "chapat baz" or lesbians, and used terms such as "chapti", "chipti", or "chapat bazi" to describe lesbianism. Interestingly, these women attached little importance to labels and made no verbal distinctions between homosexual and heterosexual relations. They explained that emotions and acts of love are gender-free. Words such a...