“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 Gupta on his lecture Morality, Diplomacy, and Power Dynamics: Courtesans of India for Sarmaya Talks. His dance performances during the talk was accompanied by Mardala artiste Namrata Dave.
Madhur Gupta is considered one of the leading Odissi dance masters of his generation. He received his initial training in Kathak from Pandit Birju Maharaj. Madhur is currently in advanced training under the renowned dancer and Guru, Smt Sharon Lowen in the Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra style of Odissi. He is the author of the bestselling book Courting Hindustan and was featured on National Geographic’s show NoFilter. Madhur is the founder of performing arts school Sangeet Vidya Niketan in New Delhi.
This event took place on 26th April 2024, at Jaan Joss, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai.
