From mujras to item songs: Tracing the Journey of Courtesan Songs in Popular Hindi movies and inclusion in Popular Culture

Abstract

Abstract

The present paper attempts to analyze the incorporation of courtesan songs as mujras in Popular Hindi movies and their inclusion in Popular culture. These mujras held a prominent position in Bollywood and contributed a great deal to the success of the movies they were a part of. Due to globalization and changing trends and consumer demands, the mujras in Indian cinema slowly and gradually transformed and paved way for the bolder and more provocative item numbers and the courtesan stood reincarnated as the item girl.