The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-25
Dancing Girls from India.
TROUPE THAT Is TO PERFORM TIE NAUTC
DANCE AT DALY's THEATRE.

TROUPE THAT is TO PERFORM TIE NAUTCH
DANCE AT DALY's THEATRE.
New York, November 23.-Henry w.
French, OF Boston, arrived in this city from
Liverpool by the steamer City of Brussels,
Bringing with him Troupe OF dancing.
girls, musicians, and jugglers from India.
These girls perform the Nautch dance, and,
in connection with the other members Of the
troupe. are to appear at Daly's Theatre in
new play, the scene OF which is in India. A
reporter called upon Mr.. French last night,
and learned from him the following facts:
There are fifteen persons in The company,
FIVE women and ten men. The women are
some OF the principal performers OF India,
and belong to the only class OF women in
that country who are taught 10 read and
write. The oldest is called Bbooribai, and
is twenly-siX years old. She is one OF the
principal dancers. Sahebihan, the chief
dancer, is eighteen, and is one OF the great
est performers in India. These two belong
TO the famous temple dancers. No Maha-
rajIh ever eniertains guest without giving
one Of these dances. The Naulch dance, as
1t is called, is also feature OF all religious.
and holiday festivals. The other women
are Vageirbai, aged fifteen; Ala Buodi, aged
fourteen; and O0Ddabai, the youngest, aged
twelve. These women live in different
parts OF India. They speak no English,
and are the first Mahometans who ever
came 10 this country from INDIA. The
men are Abdoolally Esmaiiee, mana
ger of q Bombay Theatre and man.
ager OF this company during their visit
here; Goolamboosau, Oomei khan two;
Hindoos-tbe only ones in the company
hy tbe name Of Balaya; Imambarkha, Kha-
joolala, SubruDg, ana Moobarie. Oomer-
l-ho Il, Of~ bxo host M Indian iuUOlprS
One of the Balayas is a knife-payer. He
juggles with long knives, keeping large
number cling about his head at one time.
Subrung is very fine. singer. Imambarkha
is snake-charfner. he brings with him
two cobra di capellos, scorpion, and lit
tie animal called mongoose, which Is used
TO stir up the snakes, 1t being very hostile
10 them. One OF the Ballyas cooks food
for both, as Hind0os Will not eat Mabome-
tan food, nor Will Mahometars eat Hindoo
! food. These men never dance, but they
sing and play upon their native instruments
while the women 90 through their peculiar
movements. The women also sing cortin-
ually while dancing.
The company left Bombay October 10th.
| The members OF 1t were in excellent spirits
during the trip, after their first uneasiness
left them. They were much petted by the
passengers. The beauty OF these women is
| matter OF taste. In India they are con-
sidered very handsome. Sabebihan is The
| darkest, but is greatly admired in her own
country. Three of the women are married.
They all bear themselves modestly. They
wear a satin vest, which does not cover
| their throats. This is fastened behind.
They wear also satin trousers reaching
nearly to the ankles. over all they throw
| Sol ,; lnpfr rlo9E 'InpV
wear rings on their fingers and toes, strings
of pearls about their ears. and aDklets and
nose-rines o.. solid silver. They wear no dia-
monds, as these stones are not fashionable in
India. 1t was very difficult 10 get these peo-
ple together and to persuade them 10 leave
their country. Mr.. French said that II
EsOfally Hiptalla, personal Trend OF MS,
had not consented TO come to America on
visit the Others would have been afraid to
come. Just before starting they conceived
the idea that they were coming 10 America
to be sacrificed at festival, and almost re-
fused TO come. They were gathered from
the neighborhood of Allabbad ard some
other Indian cities, where there are great
bathing tanks. Their chief duty at home
is TO pafticIrate I'm festivals. The first rank
OF these women Is never permitted TO leave
the temples without the permission OF tue
priests. They all reverence as thelr spe-
cial patron and protectress the Holy
Mother Bhowanee, who is supposed TO be
the most beautiful dancer In the paradise
of the Hindoo religion. Their dances do
not resemble what Americans are accus-
toned to call dances. They consist OF 1.-THE
and graceful whirling, marvellous in its
quickness, and also Of mystic weaving and
subtle pautomimic contortions explained
/ hx, ha;r hanQpc have mpan-
ing, and the sentiment OF them Is always
made plain. They cover a wide range OF
subjects. They have one dance which
represents railway train, and the clatter
OF the engine Is heard all through it. The
best Of these women are chosen from the
highest caste OF Indians. The next in rank
are Of the Sudra families, or mercantile
caste. Mr.. Daily is preparing play TO be
performed by his regular company, in one
scene OF which these people will appear.