BBC HomeExplore the BBC


Accessibility help
Text only
BBC Homepage
BBC Radio
Woman's Hour - Weekdays 10-11am, Saturdays 4-5pm
Listen online to Radio 4


Contact Us

Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

 
internationalarchive
 
  Indian dancing girls 08 April 2005  
In some areas, dancing has a darker side, and is closely linked to prostitution

In India dancing is a tradition that goes back centuries. Many girls and boys still learn classical dance, either to entertain people or give worship to the gods at the temple.

In a handful of villages in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, for instance, there are certain places where the skills of dancing and prostitution are handed down from mother to daughter.

In those villages, the whole economy depends on the women, so there is a lot of pressure from parents, brothers and boyfriends for girls to continue their traditional work. Sometimes the girls are just 8 or 9 when they begin.

But now, thanks to social workers and activists, some women and their daughters are breaking away and looking for alternative employment. Clare Jenkins has been to one Indian village of dancing girls.


Disclaimer
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
 
Recent items about International
03 Jul 2009: Marine Le Pen
30 June 2009: Bannng the Burkha
 
More items in the International Archive
 
Listen
Listen now to the latest Woman's Hour
Listen Now
Latest programme
 
Listen again to previous programmes
Listen Again
Previous programmes
 
 
 

Social Care

Who should pay for it?

fish
 
Image: Find out how more about the Woman's Hour podcast
Podcast
More about Woman's Hour podcasts
 
 




About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy