The Contributions of Baijis or Courtesans towards the Musical Scenario in 19th Century Calcutta

Join us for a compelling Library Talk at Kolkata Centre for Creativity, where Anindya Banerjee—distinguished classical musician and musicologist—delves into the overlooked contributions of baijis or courtesans to Calcutta’s rich 19th-century musical landscape.

Titled The Contributions of Baijis or Courtesans towards the Musical Scenario in 19th Century Calcutta, this session explores how women performers, often labelled as ‘tawaifs’ or ‘nautch girls’, migrated from Lucknow and Benaras to colonial Calcutta, where they created vibrant salons of music, learning, and cultural resistance.

Drawing from his acclaimed book Baiji Elo Kolkatay, Banerjee highlights the complex intersections of gender, migration, and musical legacy. The talk will be followed by a screening of Tawaif, his documentary film that captures the nuanced world of these artists who preserved Hindustani classical traditions amidst social stigma and colonial transformation.

You may also like the following events from Kolkata Centre for Creativity:

• This Friday, 1st August, 05:30 pm, মন্দিরের মানচিত্র: Reading Calcutta through Its Forgotten Shrines in Kolkata
• This Saturday, 2nd August, 11:00 am, আবৃত্তির আঙিনা: Bangla Elocution Workshop in Kolkata
• This Sunday, 3rd August, 11:00 am, Adab Se Adab Tak : Online Spoken Urdu Course in Kolkata

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