Devadasis were from South India and tawaifs were associated with the North.
Tawaifs were courtesans attached to royal courts.
Devadasis were traditionally associated with temples, though some also performed in courtly settings.
“Devadasi” literally means “servant of god” in Sanskrit. “Tawaif” comes from an Awadhi term for courtesans.
Both were skilled performers, but tawaifs specialized in Hindustani classical music and dance, while devadasis were experts in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi dance forms.
Devadasis had high social status as temple servants and royal performers.
Tawaifs catered to wealthy upper-class customers that were soldier-traders. They were at the apex of the entertainment industry.
If a king is god, and if anyone who has money is a king, anyone who has money is also god…therefore…the shift to customer as god was not far-fetched. Courtesans, who earlier were associated with temples, were now linked to kings-any “king,” that is, who had money.
The devadasi tradition is more ancient, while the term “tawaif” came into use during the Mughal era.
Both groups faced social stigma and marginalization during the colonial period and nationalist reform movements.
