Mujra
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Mujra is an erotic dance famous in red light districts in Pakistan including in Lahore, Multan, Hyderabad and Karachi.
[edit] Origins
When the Mughals took control of India, they had many of the original Hindu storytellers of the region of Rajasthan, India, brought into the courts as entertainers. In the courts, because stories from Hindu mythology were not of interest to the Mughal rulers, what was once the dance Kathak became infused with fast spinning, swift movements, and graceful hand gestures of Persian influence - the birth of mujra.
After the mainstay of Mughal emperors died away, the mujra dance was performed in separate kothas (buildings) by dancers called Tawaif for audiences made up of mostly upper class young men.
These dancers were labeled "whores" after the British colonial Anti-Nautch (anti-dance) movement left many from these dancing families at the feet of prostitution, and this is the pervasive sentiment attached to the mujra even today.
[edit] Motions
Mujra is a part of classical Kathak. This is a classical example of the blend of two religions, Hinduism and Islam. Although many believe that (sort of true too) this is the variation of kathak that bears suggestive connotations, most Kathak artistes perform the Mujra quite gracefully and in a dignified manner. The dances that you see in the films Umrao Jaan and Pakeezah are examples of mujras. Many prostitutes dance the mujra and hence the suggestive side. But in pure kathak, it is performed without the suggestive side.
[edit] See also
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