Sep 21 2024 to Sep 21 2024 4 p.m.

Price: Free, but registration is required. Book/Buy

Where

Museum of Art & Photography (MAP)

Kasturba Road, Bengaluru 560001

Event Description

Our latest digital experience, Tawaif: Tracing the History of Courtesans in Hindi Cinema, invites you to explore the many facets that make the tawaif character in hindi cinema. Dr. Saumya Mani Tripathi, who has also curated this experience, will guide you through the history and evolution of the tawaif (courtesan) in Hindi cinema, showcasing the latest exhibition to come out of MAP's Bollywood Ephemera digitisation efforts. Tawaif: Tracing the History of Courtesans in Hindi Cinema examines the transformation of the courtesan figure in cinema from a court dancer steeped in devotion to kings and deities, to a complex figure who defies and critiques societal conventions — ultimately evolving into a feminist icon, poet, and artist. Through the lens of films such as Pakeezah, Utsav, Mughal-e-Azam, and Mere Mehboob it showcases the work of cinematic legends like Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Rekha, and Waheeda Rehman, who brought the tawaif figure to the silver screen with unparalleled grace and emotional depth. After the guided walk, we will delve deeper into the themes with a showcase of objects from the MAP collection such as vintage lobby cards, film posters and vinyl records. These objects provide a tangible connection to the time period, the lives of tawaifs, and the cultural memory of Hindi Cinema’s timeless legacy. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the allure of classic Hindi cinema and discover the enduring legacy of the tawaif.