Heeramandi gave everyone a glimpse into the lives of tawaifs and their kothas. The Netflix series showed the reality behind the kothas. Like Heermandi, Calcutta had its own Mallikajaan, who lived in this city over 140 years ago. She graced the court of Wajid Ali Shah and owned an entire building in Calcutta. She came to Calcutta as a performer but gave the city its biggest diamond, Gauhar Jaan. Let’s uncover the story of the tawaif who created history.
Originally named Adeline Victoria Hemmings, the story of Malka Jaan began in Benaras in 1881, when she moved there with her daughter Eleen Angelina Yeoward. She was an accomplished singer, Kathak dancer, and a tawaif. She was popularly known as Badi Malkajaan. In 1883, she travelled to Calcutta and established her name in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Within three years, she purchased an entire building for Rs 40,000 at 24 Chitpore Road, today known as Salim Manzil.
Adeline converted to Islam when she moved to Benaras, changing her name to Malka Jaan and her daughter’s to Gauhar Jaan. In this building, the young Gauhar learned classical Hindustani music, dance, and singing from the most renowned mentors, including Ustad Ali Baksh Jarnail (founding member of Patiala Gharana of Hindustani classical music) and Brindadin Maharaj (granduncle of revered Pt. Birju Maharaj).
She debuted in the court of Darbhanga Raj in 1888 at the age of 14, where she was appointed as the court musician. Her expertise and proficiency in khayal, thumri, and dhrupad were so great that she became the greatest singer of her era and the earliest dancing girl. She only performed in the royal courts of rulers or at the events of aristocratic elites. She charged 1000 rupees for every song she sang. Gauhar performed in the Victoria Public Hall and at the coronation of King George V at the Delhi Durbar of 1911. When she was invited to sing, she was even given a personal train.
Gauhar Jaan was the first to commercially record a song in India. Her songs were not available publicly. People used to crowd on the streets outside the venue to hear her sing. The Gramophone Company requested Gauhar Jaan to record a song for the company that would be available to the public. She charged 3000 rupees for each recording. Her first song was Raag Jogiya in thumri. In every recording, she would arrive wearing precious gold and silver jewelry without repeating them, and would surprise people. She was the first millionaire singer of that era. Between 1902 and 1920, she recorded about 600 songs in 20 languages.
It is said that when Gandhiji began his national movement, he sought help to raise funds from courtesans. One among them was Gauhar Jaan. She agreed to help him on the condition that he would attend the mehfil when she sings. He promised to attend her performance. She waited for him the entire night, but he did not arrive. She had collected 24000 funds from her performance. The next day, he sent Maulana Shaukat Ali to collect the funds, which angered Jaan. She only handed over 12000 rupees to him.
While her professional life was unmatched, she struggled immensely in her personal life. She married her assistant, 10 years younger than her, but was deceived. He fraudulently seized all her property under his name. When she discovered his deceit, she filed a legal suit against him. The case continued for a long time, draining a significant portion of her money. Meanwhile, she found console and support in the arms of Gujarati stage actor Amrit Wagal Nayak. But after 3-4 years of their relationship, he passed away. Gauhar Jaan, one of the richest musicians of her era, spent her last years dependent on every penny.
In 1928, she became the palace musician at the court of Mysore King Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV. On 7 January 1930, she passed away alone at a hospital with a high fever. She had no one to support and care for her during her final days, and no one knows who or where she was buried. Thus, a shining star burned away in vain.
