Emerging from Bollywood, “Heeramandi” is the first of that origin on the platform. It tells the story of the “tawaifs”, courtesans who also played a central role in the fight against English imperialism.
Netflix premieres an Indian miniseries worldwide today. It is not an American recorded in India. She’s not British either. It is purely Indian, the first one we see here. Is called “Heeramandi”in some countries it has the subtitle “The Diamond Bazaar” and in others, the more frank and attractive “The kingdom of the courtesans”and is inspired by something like the indian geishas, tawaifsfamous for their refined mastery of dancing, singing, social etiquette, wearing jewelry and, of course, their active and refined mastery of the bedroom.
The miniseries is set in Heeramandi, a neighborhood of Lahore famous for its red light district, and is sold as “a story of love and betrayal in the lives of courtesans”. But there is more than one story, because it covers three generations, with a competition between madams, a daughter in love with her mother’s displeasure, and other things, and in the background the fight against British rule, fight in which several tawaifs participated with money and shelter for the conspirators. The work also accumulates a display of actresses, dancers, dances, extras in the streets and ostentatious Asian luxury, partly real and largely manufactured by digital effects equipment and drones.
Creator and main producer of this miniseries is Sanjay Leela Bhansali, which began in 1999 with a romantic drama (a young woman must choose between two men) and since then has been making popular stories that are increasingly more ostentatious, energetic and exaggerated. For example, the story of a married man who hooks up with a warrior princess in trouble, that of the kings of Rajistan who had to face the army of a Persian sultan determined to keep the queen, the biopic of Mary Kom, a famous boxer of these times (born Chungneijang Hmongte), and the fantasy of a teacher fighting against corrupt politicians and complicit police officers. Martial arts teacher, for more information. Predictable detail: all the actresses in a Bhansali production are pretty and come out decked out in lavish fabrics and jewelry down to their feet, and all the actors left the gym.
In short, it is anticipated a great show well suited to the taste of Bollywood. Greater respect for historical truth is not anticipated or requested. But what happened to the authentic tawaifs? First, to reduce their income, the British Raj prohibited them from engaging in any type of sex work. The British Raj, that is, the British government that dominated India, was not puritanical being so far from London, but in that way it affected the circulation of clients and money a little.
Second, the Hindu reformers, who longed to form a modern country, accused these poor women of maintaining customs and traditions that were retarded, as well as burdensome for the common citizen. Third, in the distribution of territories when the long-awaited independence, Lahore remained on the Pakistani side, which means, in the hands of the Muslims. And fourth, at that point, those who were not ready to retire from work were ready to choose three new, more profitable and prestigious job options: a film career, a singing career, with the promise of great popularity through albums and recitals, or get married. Much of what constitutes Indian cinema and music today comes from these sources. Lots of kids, too.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
