Indian courtesans on the silver screen.

Saluting the actors who immortalised Indian courtesans on the silver screen.

JP Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan' will once again resurrect the courtesan from the kothas of Lucknow to the millennium screens. The fragrance of mogra and the frenzy of ghungroos will beckon viewers again, the tawaif being an unfazed celluloid fascination.

Director Akbar Khan names the melancholic Meena Kumari in 'Pakeezah' his favourite. "There was a tragic appeal in her eyes, her voice had ingrained sensitivity. She brought forth the irony of courtesan — a pure soul victimised by socio-economic conditions. The mujra 'Inhi logon ne' summed this up."

Director Chandraprakash Dwivedi ('Pinjar'), finds ganika (courtesan) Rekha in 'Utsav' unforgettable. Smita Patil's character Zeenat in 'Mandi' was mesmerising too for Dwivedi. "The song 'Mujhe chubhati hai nigodi bhari angia', was filmed on her, that too in a single shot. It was absolutely sensual."

But lyricist Prasoon Joshi finds Chandramukhi in all versions of 'Devdas' unique in her selflessness. "When Devdas tells her that he'd want her in his next life, he pays her the ultimate tribute," says the wordsmith. For lyricist Dev Kohli, even four decades haven't erased Nargis's helplessness in 'Adalat'.

"The song 'Jaana tha humse door' still haunts me," Kohli sighs. Music composer Shanatanu Moitra feels Rekha as 'Umrao Jaan' owns the role and 'Pakeezah' unearthed a 'mahol' of dance. "The song 'Chalte chalte', the tabla, the arches and the whistling train still grip," he says. "Conversely in 'Amar Prem', Sharmila Tagore didn't dance. She conveyed through vyang (facial expressions)," he differentiates.

Screenwriter Jaideep Shahni concurs, "'Pakeezah' gave an insight into the underbelly and the glory of the tawaif culture which gave us singers, musicians and dancers. Meenaji celebrated the adas and shaan of the tawaif."