Courtesan for Social or Political Benefits

"Those from wealthy backgrounds, either by birth or marriage, and who were only acting as courtesans for the social or political advancement of themselves and/or their spouses, were generally treated as equals. They were more respected by their extra-marital companions, both placing one another's family obligations ahead of the relationship and planning their own liaisons or social engagements around the lovers' marital obligations.

Affairs of this sort would often be short-lived, ending when either the courtesan or the courtesan's spouse received the status or political position desired, or when the benefactor chose the company of another courtesan, and compensated the latter financially. In instances like this, it was often viewed simply as a business agreement by both parties involved. The benefactor was aware of the political or social favors expected by the courtesan, the courtesan was aware of the price expected from them for those favors being carried out, and the two met one anothers demands.

This was generally a safe affair, as both the benefactor's spouse and the courtesan's spouse usually were fully aware of the arrangement, and the courtesan was not solely dependent on the benefactor. It, rather, was simply an affair of benefits gained for both those involved. Publicly and socially, affairs of this sort were common during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the early 20th century, and were generally accepted in wealthy circles."

Dirty Dancing…..

The classic story on stage by Eleanor Bergstein

The Housemans take their holiday at a popular summer camp, where youngest daughter Baby meets dance teacher from the wrong side of the tracks, Johnny. There begins a classic love story through which we see that love can conquer all barriers and we learn that "nobody puts Baby in the corner!"
The iconic film Dirty Dancing, which starred Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, was released in 1987 and has become the benchmark by which all "chick flicks" are now judged. All the hits from the film's soundtrack, including "Do You Love Me," "She's Like The Wind" and "Time Of My Life" are featured in the stage show along with some new numbers. The story has been rewritten for the stage but includes all of the movies memorable moments and some added scenes as well. Get ready for the time of your life!

Theatre: Aldwych Theatre Aldwych

Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins with 1 interval

An Angel Wears ......

Allow me to be a critic of the Devil wears Prada, a book written by Lauren Weisberger, recently upgraded into a film. I have read the book, but not yet seen the movie, however.

If the Devil wears Prada, what will an angel wear?

Miu Miu?
Certainly NOT Gucci!
Perhaps Cavalli?
Definitely Manolo!

Anyhow, Merryl Streep sold the film for me. I should see it soon.

Paris Delight

A short trip to Paris, then a long dinner in Brussels, ending the day in our London hotel made me realize how exciting today’s world is for a number of people.
Enjoying the delights of two countries or even more within 24 hours makes the world a mere village.

How come 1+1 doesn’t often make 2?

Food for thoughts.

I am back to my home state wining off my jet lag.

Cheers!

Courtesans of Lucknow and Urdu Poetry

As Mughal rule in Delhi declined, the Nawabs of Avadh came into their own, of course with the help of English, who were more than eager to help. Many courtesans moved from Delhi and surrounding areas to Lucknow, and Urdu poets and the seat of Urdu poetry went with them, to Lucknow where easy money was available in abundance, thanks to the poor farmers, who, as usual, were unaware of the doings of their masters.
The close association of the court, the courtesans, and Urdu can not be denied. The services provided by the courtesans used Urdu as their medium, the services provided by the courts used Persian as their medium. The impact of courtesans on Lucknow's poetry can be judged from the fact that under their influence of the poets of Lucknow gave a new direction to the ghazals. They chose a female sweet-heart in place of the hitherto universally popular male, or at best without gender, as the object of their love. Their expressions amply prove that their sweet-heart is usually an accomplished courtesan. This itself was a landmark in Urdu poetry in as much as it imparted genuineness and sincerity to the expression of Urdu poets who, for the first time, presented a clear and distinct concept and picture of `women', the desired women, in Urdu poetry, which was an accomplished courtesan.
As the courtesan was center of their thoughts, they freely gave an expression to their ideas and feelings on different parts of the body of their sweet-heart especially the breasts, belly, waist, thighs and ankles unheard of earlier. It is understandable that most schools completely ignore this poetry in their teaching of Urdu or its history. Unlike a respectable female sweet-heart in whose love the poet had to pine and was prepared to die, the courtesan was easily available. That is why in the Urdu ghazal, Masnavi, and Vasokht of those days, we come across allusions to sex-act itself. True, some of the verses written in those days can be considered risque and even vulgar but let us not forget that they represented the general state of morals of that time.
These women also formed the central theme of a peculiar type of poetry called Rekhti in which the male poet used feminine language of courtesans and the like to give expression to their suppressed thoughts.

A Courtesan's Silver Jubilee

The high class clients gathered in her Manor
and the courtesy served on tables.
Bulldogs around the courtyard.
Just imagine if a burgeois trespass; he will be trapped?
Under the chandlier's dim light you cannot identify
so-and-so and such-and-such, all warble in a friendly manner.
No restrictions to be seen.
Lustful wallflowers are waiting for Lords
those who left their wives at home.
The soap opera with full of elegance
and the symphony covers the syndrome of outer bombardment.
All the commoners and the cowardice stuck in their
unlit houses as it's a curfew & a black out
but a Full Moon.

Nimal Dunuhinga

Entertainment reading

After spending years reading nothing more than historical facts and documentaries, I am considering to navigate towards what I call entertainment reading. What I mean by this is not Detective stories or murder in Manhattan kind of novels.
Horror or Supernatural springs to my mind.
I found this author, James Herbert, who apparently specializes in this kind of thrills. Can anyone suggest other interesting authors apart from the obvious?

What is Perfection?

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Perfection for me is when satisfaction is achieved as planned. Nothing more, nothing less.

What is your definition of perfection?