Fridays @ KCC Library
29 August 2025 | The Contributions of Baijis or Courtesans towards the Musical Scenario in 19th Century Calcutta
Date: 29 August 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue: KCC Library
Join us for a compelling Library Talk at Kolkata Centre for Creativity, where Anindya Banerjee—distinguished classical musician and musicologist—delves into the overlooked contributions of baijis or courtesans to Calcutta’s rich 19th-century musical landscape.
Titled The Contributions of Baijis or Courtesans towards the Musical Scenario in 19th Century Calcutta, this session explores how women performers, often labelled as ‘tawaifs’ or ‘nautch girls’, migrated from Lucknow and Benaras to colonial Calcutta, where they created vibrant salons of music, learning, and cultural resistance.
Drawing from his acclaimed book Baiji Elo Kolkatay, Banerjee highlights the complex intersections of gender, migration, and musical legacy. The talk will be followed by a screening of Tawaif, his documentary film that captures the nuanced world of these artists who preserved Hindustani classical traditions amidst social stigma and colonial transformation.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Anindya Banerjee (b. 1958, Calcutta) is an acclaimed Indian classical musician, musicologist, educator, and actor. Trained by legends Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, he is known for reviving the rare Sursringar, performing and teaching it worldwide. Author of ten Bengali books and producer of five documentaries, including the Doordarshan-recognised Evolution and Development of Sarode, his research explores the 18th–19th century baijis and their influence on India’s musical heritage. He has taught at Rabindra Bharati University and Visva-Bharati, served as Dean of Academics at the Sakhri Begum Memorial Trust, and received honours such as Suramani, Sarod Vidwan, and Sangeet Gurushree. Also a prolific actor, he has appeared in over 25 Bengali films and numerous advertisements.
