Nagarvadhu
Nagarvadhu or Nagar Vadhu (Devanagari: नगरवधू) ("bride of the city") was a tradition followed in some parts of ancient India.
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Vasantasenā; by Raja Ravi Varma
Women competed to win the title of a Nagarvadhu, and there was no taboo against the practice.[1] The most beautiful woman, and most talented in various dance forms, was chosen as the Nagarvadhu.
A Nagarvadhu was respected, and she was a courtesan; people could watch her dance and sing.[2] A Nagarvadhu's price for a single night's dance was very high, and she was only within the reach of the very rich – the king, the princes, and the lords.
Famous Nagarvadhus
- Amrapali, state courtesan and Buddhist disciple, described in Vaishali Ki Nagarvadhu by Acharya Chatursen
- Vasantasena, a character in the classic Sanskrit story of Mricchakatika, written in the 2nd century BC by Śūdraka
- Madhavi, a character in the classic Tamil story of Silappatikaram, written by Ilango Adigal
See also
References
- Spectrum lead article, The Sunday Tribune, 24 Dec 2000
- "~viktor/wisdom/osho/marriage". phys.uni-sofia.bg. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
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