Madhur Gupta | Sarmaya Talks | Morality, Diplomacy, and Power Dynamics: Courtesans of India

Morality, Diplomacy, and Power Dynamics: Courtesans of India

'These courtesans were artists who were carriers of the nation's enormous history, creating cultural movements by their strokes and the turnings of their wrists. At the core of the institutionals values of courtesans lay a deeper, divine purpose of uplifting the mundane world of mortals, allowing them to envision the bigger picture.'

Madhur is the author of the bestselling book ‘Courting Hindustan,’ published by Rupa Publications and has been hailed as one of the leading Odissi dance masters of his generation. The Indian Express has lauded Gupta as ‘one of the few male artists (in a field mostly dominated by women), who not only pursued Indian classical dance with devotion but also excelled at it.’ Beginning his initial training in Kathak with a maestro like Padma Vibhushan awardee, Pandit Birju Maharaj, he was strongly drawn towards Odissi as his life’s calling. Apart from extensively touring, performing, and writing, Madhur has also founded the premier performing arts school Sangeet Vidya Niketan in New Delhi.

Enjoy the talk hosted by Madhur Gupta with the beautiful Mardala being played by Namrata Dave.

This event took place on 26th April 2024, at Jaan Joss, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai.