O Gaanewali, a distinguished music group hailing from Mumbai, recently captivated audiences at the Bangalore International Centre. The evening’s allure began with producer and vocalist Avanti Patel’s evocative voice delivering her first lyrics, “Kale baadal gher hai,” instantly transporting the audience to the epoch of Gaanewalis and Nachnewaalis—the celebrated Tawaifs of India.
As the bewitching mehfil unfurled, each member of the audience found themselves ensnared in the intricate tales of these venerable women artistes. The traditional baithak gracefully alternated between mellifluous ghazals and compelling stories of the women who composed and sang them, adding depth and resonance to the evening.
In an interview prior to the performance, Avanti stressed the importance of centering women in her narrative. “I am never not going to talk about women,” she asserted. Highlighting the rarity of the female perspective in ghazals, she stated, “It’s rare to have the female gaze in a ghazal, especially when the genre was commandeered by the ustaads and pandits from the Tawaifs.”
The ensemble, comprised of Avanti Patel, vocalist Rujuta Lad, tabla player Akshay Jadhav, and harmonium player Apoorv Petkar, worked harmoniously to revive the heritage of these women. Vocalist Rujuta shared insights into the profound education of the tawaifs, which far surpassed that of most women in their time. “These were highly intellectual women fluent in languages such as Farsi and Urdu, even though it was deemed inappropriate for respectable women to perform on stage,” she elaborated.
Despite their creative brilliance, there was a societal push to cleanse their music of its sensual elements and to marry off these groundbreaking artistes. However, as Rujuta pointed out, these women neither required nor sought salvation from men. Remarkably affluent, they were among the highest taxpayers under British rule, managing overflowing coffers and unprecedented independence.
The performance was made even more engaging by the rapport between harmonium player Apoorv and tabla player Akshay.
. Akshay elaborated on the “laggi ladi,” a playful and competitive interplay between the singer and tabla player, “It’s a friendly battle where space is alternately given to each to showcase their creativity,” he chuckled.
Throughout the evening, the musicians brought their individual talents to the fore, providing the audience not only with an enriched musical experience but also a deeper understanding of their intricate craft. “We aim to make our shows accessible to the masses and prioritize imparting musical literacy during our performances,” Avanti mentioned, highlighting their mission to bridge the gap of elitism in classical music. She also referred to upcoming concerts in Pune on August 23 and Mumbai on August 31, promising more immersive experiences.
The performers delighted the audience with renditions of ghazals such as Gauhar Jaan’s ‘Mere Hazrat ne Madine mein manayee Holi’, and the evergreen ‘Aaj jaane ki zid na karo’, along with works from Janaki Bai Allahbadi, Farida Khanum, and other iconic artistes. The immersive experience was peppered with spontaneous expressions of admiration and applause. “Magic is when everyone says waah unprompted,” Avanti remarked, describing the enchantment that frequently gripped the audience that evening.
The event highlighted not only the musical prowess of these women but also their significant social and cultural contributions. Their tales, intertwined with their songs, spoke of resilience, independence, and an unyielding spirit. The music group O Gaanewali effectively used their platform to revive these forgotten narratives, offering a contemporary audience an insight into the vitality and significance of the Tawaifs.
As the evening drew to a close, the audience was left not just musically satisfied but also intellectually enriched. The stories narrated, paired effortlessly with the ghazals, portrayed the tawaifs as they truly were—pioneers of Indian classical music and stalwarts of cultural heritage. With this evocative performance, O Gaanewali shines a light on a significant yet often overlooked chapter of India’s musical history, promising to carry this torch forward in their future endeavors.
