برصغیر پاک و ہند کی طوائف شاعرات: ایک مطالعہ

A Study of Prostitute Poets of Indian Subcontinent

Abstract

Women have a chunk share in modern poetry tradition. To understand this rich poetic tradition, a thoughtful review of the poetic creations of the early period is utmost necessary. The feminine poetry of this series does not represent the average class women. Before 1857, two classes of literary figures are seen grabbing applause for their work, first is the group of elites and second is the group which belongs to prostitutes. A large number of the elite have been successful in gaining place in ancient literacy mentions. Whereas prostitute women writers have suffered from callous ignorance due to one or the other reasons and they failed to become part of any mention of history of literature. Since in early times, poetry was written in Persian language, so the women of “that bazar” also wrote poetry in Persian language. Poetic work of women of pleasure as much available (though most of it was spoiled by the hands of neglect or time) is very rich and fully connected with classical tradition of Urdu Poetry. If we would not study the work of these poetesses in connection to classical poetic tradition and also not review the process of theme construction, the journey of this subject up to modern poetry of current era would not be completed. That’s why felt it necessary to make an appraisal and thoughtful analysis of some prominent women poetesses from this profession in my thesis. As the result of this effort, not only will the poetry of these women of the early period be highlighted, but their efforts would also be ranked on right place in history of Urdu Literature.