East Ind. [a. Arab., Pers., Urdū tamāfā walking about for recreation or amusement, an entertainment, f. 6th conj. of mafa(y) to walk.] An entertainment, show, display, public function.
[1687. A. Lovell, trans. Thevenot’s Trav., II. 90. They stop at the meanest thing, to do that which they call Tamacha, (that’s to say,) to consider and admire it.]
1837. T. Bacon, Hindostan, II. vi. 159. Mad scenes are enacted at all Indian tamáshas (fun, amusement, riot), whether religious or accidental.
1872. Mrs. Valentine, Lett., in Mem., viii. (1882), 135. The usual tamashas went on.
1889. Pall Mall G., 9 May, 7/1. The people say to the Christian missionaries: ‘Yours is a very dull religion; there is not enough tamasha (that is, show or function) about it.’
1892. Sat. Rev., 18 June, 700/2. That very funny tamasha which is called a Convention in American politics.
1904. Blackw. Mag., June, 835. I thought the tamasha had begun and turned out to look.
1906. Athenæum, 26 May, 635/1. The serious business of life … at … Khapallu … seems to be polo and tamashas.
