‘In this insightful book, Madhur Gupta covers two-and-a-half millennia of history, unfolding the lives of the female courtesans who have sadly been maligned and ignored. Gupta, an accomplished Odissi dancer, strives to repair this injustice, producing a fascinating story in the process.’
—Dr Shashi Tharoor Author, politician and former international civil servant

‘Choosing to be an artist has, throughout time, been a brave and radical decision. When the person making that choice is a woman, then the barriers and discrimination women have faced in society in general only serve to multiply the difficulties of an artist’s life. Given the circumstances, Madhur’s book is a breath of fresh air. A consummate Odissi dancer himself, his understanding and love of the arts informs every story he shares. His book does a great service in undoing the erasure of so many incredible female artists who came before.’
—Anoushka Shankar Sitar player, film composer and activist

‘Women have not been given their very much-deserved and due importance historically as well as in the present time in the social structure of India. Throughout Indian history you will find examples of how women led from the front while men failed to do so. I pray that when this book is complete and in circulation, it brings an understanding to one and all of the unparalleled bravery and contribution of women of India, past and present.’
—Ustad Zakir Hussain Tabla player, composer, music producer, percussionist and film actor

‘The history of the woman performer in India is the story of intersectionality—of gender, caste, class, religion and region. The glory attached to them, in retrospect, often couches patriarchy and the entitlement of class and caste. Madhur’s book is an important step in pulling away some euphemistic veils and digging into their actual stories.’
—Dr Mallika Sarabhai Indian classical dancer, actress and social activist

‘I congratulate Madhur wholeheartedly on his most interesting project…’
—Zubin Mehta Master conductor of western classical music

Madhur Gupta is one of the leading Odissi dance maestros of his generation. The Indian Express has hailed Gupta as one of the few male artists (in a field mostly dominated by women), who not only pursued Indian classical dance with devotion but also excelled at it. Beginning his initial training in Kathak with a maestro like Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Birju Maharaj, he was strongly drawn towards Odissi as his life’s calling.

He has also had the fortune of interacting and learning from masters like Madhavi Mudgal, Bichitrananda Swain and Kumkum Lal. 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.

Apart from extensively touring, performing and writing, Madhur also teaches Odissi at Sangeet Vidya Niketan, New Delhi.