Nagarvadhu Explained

Nagarvadhu or Nagar Vadhu (Devanagari: नगरवधू) ("bride of the city") was a tradition followed in some parts of Vedic India.

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 royalcourtesan; 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 emperors, kings, princes and 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

• Devadasi
• Deuki
• Ca trù, a similar profession in Vietnam
• Qiyan, a similar profession in Arab
• Geisha, a similar profession in Japan
• Shirabyōshi, a similar profession in Japan
• Kisaeng, a similar profession in Korea
• Gaṇikā, a similar profession in India
• Tawaif, a similar profession in India
• Gējì, a similar profession in China

Notes and References

1. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001224/spectrum/main1.htm Spectrum lead article, The Sunday Tribune, 24 Dec 2000
2. Web site: ~viktor/wisdom/osho/marriage. phys.uni-sofia.bg. 2014-02-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20180311235716/http://www.phys.uni-sofia.bg/~viktor/wisdom/osho/marriage.html. 2018-03-11. dead.