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June, 1884.)
BOMBAY DANCING GIRLS.
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Muhammadan Dancing Girls. The Muhammadan dancing-girls are known by the name of Kasbis and Randis, and come from Panjab, Gwalior, Sindh, and Haidarâbâd, the remainder being girls of Gujarat, Musalmån prostitutes, or else stray waifs from honest households. In northern Gujarat, living chiefly in the Gâikavad's villages, are a tribe of prostitutes kpown as Pâtars; in their own villages they are cultivators, possessing lands, and during the hot and cold Beasons making tours in the neighbouring towns and Native States for prostitution. They do not pretend to be either good singers or dancers. Neither do they belong to the regular guild (jamát) of other Musalman dancing girls, but form & community of their own. They speak Gujarati and dress like Hindû women. Another community that swells the ranks of prostitutes is that of Miråsis.
The foreign Musalman prostitute is generally a dancer and singer. She is by courtesy termed deredár and tawaif, and has from two to four naurichis or girls. It is not considered disreputable to be seen in her dwelling. Some of them are considered respectable, as they confine their favours to a single person, to whom they allow a pension. The girls in her house may either be her own daughters, or others obtained by doubtful means. They are taught to sing and dance, and their prostitution is not regarded as casting discredit on the head of the house. If the girls are her daughters, the tawaif exercises more control over them, their love connections and their caprices, so as to preserve the prestige of her house. The first connection of a girl of the above description is celebrated as sarfaráz-honá (to be exalted), or misi lagána (to apply the black dye). There are, however, no very pompous ceremonies attending this event. A girl is considered to have attained her maturity on the first signs of puberty. She then waits for an offer from some well-to-do person, but if she has waited any length of time without an offer, her patron goes a round of the neighbouring Native States with herthe surest mart for barters of this kind. The price of the loss of virginity varies from Rs. 100 to Rs. 2000, according to the beauty
and accomplishments of the girl. The master has a right to the company of the girl for two months, during which time he is expected to present her with clothes, jewellery and money. The celebration of the event begins eight days before it actually takes place. Dinners are given by the girl's relations and friends to people of her tribe, at nights they dance and sing at her house. The cost of the feast is defrayed by the master. That night the girl, richly dressed, is sent to the house of the master in a carriage attended by either a man or woman-servant, when she passes the night with him and returns home the next morning, when a sumptuous breakfast awaits her. On this occasion, near friends of the house are feasted. This concludes the ceremony. Pregnancy, childbirth, and other occasions of rejoicing are observed as among other Muhammadans in the usual way.
There is a story among the Musalmans to the effect that if faithful, a dancing girl is more faithful than a wife, and if false, she is so thoroughly ; but she does not possess either quality beyond mediocrity. She is generally ready of wit, is more cultivated than a married woman, and owes much of her fascination to the fact that in a country where wives are not considered fit for society, she is a most charming and pleasant companion. Sometimes it has happened that a dashing, wicked dancing girl, has married and tamed down to the routine of Muhammadan daily life, and taken the marriage veil with constancy. There are others of them who though admired, courted, or flattered for their beauty, music and dancing, have led a comparatively virtuous life.
The Muhammadan naikins are the best singers of Muhammadan and Marathi songs, and are adepts in paying all respect and compliments to visitors. They sing Hindustani songs with taste and delicacy, and their general demeanour at entertainments is most agreeable and cheerful.'
With regard to the class of dancing girls who come from the Mufasal and Goa, a brief account may be given of the manner in which women of this sect come under the designation of Bhavins. These Bhâvins, before they take the veil, are called by the name of
• Gujardt Musalmano, p. 48.
Munshi P. Latfulla.
