Somewhere deep inside her being, she had a dream of a husband, a family and a home. With the whole of Avadh at her feet, Umrao craved for Sultan's company. Stepping into youth, she had to seek the love of her life. A beauty that was stunning, a manner that was enticing and words that were soul stirring, made the name of Umrao Jaan mean sheer joy of watching and listening. Graduating in years, Umrao became a rage in Lucknow. The pen name “Ada” was ample proof of the proficiency in writing and presenting poetry that she went on to acquire. In the company of Bismillah, Khurshid and Gauhar Mirza, Umrao developed varied skills including poetry. Khanum gave her the name 'Umrao', Bua Hussaini brought her up in style, Maulvi Sahib imparted education, Khan Sahib initiated her into the world of music while the great Kathak Acharya made her feet move to rhythm. As an inmate of the kotha, little Amiran benefited the most. “Let her suffer a death worse than a death,” he said.Ī kotha in that age, especially that of Khanum was not only a cultural hub known for excellence in performing arts but also a temple of learning - learning the art of living. This was the vengeance and a few rupees as bonus. After finishing his sentence Dilawar came out, only to kidnap little Amiran, cart her to Lucknow and sell her to a kotha owned by the astute Khanum Sahib. Dilawar was sentenced to jail for ten years. A pious and simple man, he gave evidence in a case against Dilawar Khan, a habitual offender. Her father was a Jamadar at the 'Bahu Begum ka Makhbara' in Faizabad. When she first came to Lucknow, she was Amiran, the eight year old daughter of a lower middle class family. If Lucknow was the heart of Avadh, Umrao was the heart beat. Or what fate hath held in store for me.")Ī courtesan and a poetess in her own right, Umrao Jaan was a name to be reckoned with in any description of life in Avadh.
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