Taboo: The Hidden Culture of a Red Light Area

The book is a journey of discovery into the infamous red light district of Lahore, Pakistan, known as the Shahi Mohalla (the Royal Bazaar), of Heera Mandi (the market of diamonds). The phenomenon of prostitution coupled with music and dance performances had ancient roots in South Asia. Regardless of the stigma attached to prostitution, it has given birth for centuries to many well known performing artists. The book paints a more realistic picture of the phenomenon through the stories of the people living there: the musicians, the prostitutes, and their pimps, managers and customers.