It's ludicrous, it's mocking, it's a goddam travesty! That's exactly why it's been around for so many centuries and why we love it so much. Burlesque may have been elevated to a practiced art form today but it started off as something far more plebeian than that but don't worry, we have all the details for you below. Read on to know more.

Burlesque: According to wikipedia, Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works. Or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects. The word itself is derived from the Italian word 'burlesco' meaning 'a joke, ridicule or mockery.'

The term has been in use since the 17th century and it has been applied retrospectively to works of maestros like Chaucer and Shakespeare. But now to the good stuff. We're sure most of you have been waiting in eager anticipation for the 'striptease' bit to some in and we've got your back as usual.

Between the 1930s and '60s bawdy comedies and female stripteases also became part of these cabarets and burlesque performances. In fact, it even became a big part of Hollywood films during that time such as 1972's cabaret and 1979's All That Jazz.

And finally, the music. Burlesque found its way into classical music as well. One would refer to a classical music piece as burlesque when comical elements suddenly juxtaposed the more macabre or serious. 

We'll end with an interesting revelation that came to light recently: Burlesque is the precursor to Vaudeville, Vaudeville is the precursor to the modern day American Musical which officially makes Burlesque the grandfather of the American Musical!

-Pictures courtesy Thinkstock-

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