Hamidabai Ki Kothi Explores the Decline of Traditional Courtesan Culture

Hamidabai Ki Kothi

Hamidabai Ki Kothi is a poignant and powerful play that delves into the decline of traditional courtesan (Tawaif) culture in India. Set in a time when the refined art of classical music and dance was fading from the royal courts and cultural spaces, the play centres around Hamidabai, an aging courtesan who runs a once-prestigious “Kothi” (salon) known for its classical performances and artistic excellence. Hamidabai views her art not as entertainment, but as a sacred tradition passed down through generations. However, times are changing with the rise of cinema, recording technology, and a shift in public taste.

Amidst this cultural shift, Hamidabai struggles to preserve the dignity of her art and protect her young daughter Shabbo from being drawn into a world she no longer respects. She dreams of giving Shabbo a better life through education, but poverty, exploitation, and societal hypocrisy make this almost impossible. As patrons dwindle and debts rise, Hamidabai is forced to confront a harsh reality. The play ends on a deeply emotional note, as the once-vibrant Kothi becomes a symbol of forgotten culture, crushed dreams, and a mother’s silent resistance.

Credits

Writer: Anil Sadashiv Barve is a Writer, Journalist, Editor, Playwright, and a Novelist known for literary works like Me Swami Dehacha, Dongar Mhatara Zhala, Akara Koti Gallan Pani, Columbus Vaat Chukla and many others.

Translator: Dhanashree Heblikar is an integral member of Swatantra Theatre group, known for adapting and translating plays and films.

Director: Abhijeet Choudhary is a versatile artiste who has studied both theatre and film making, directing several full-length Hindi and English plays, one-act plays, and street plays.

Group: Swatantra Theatre was established in Pune in 2006 and has staged plays in many national-level festivals and institutions.