New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-23
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
DANCING GIRLS FROM INDIA.
A TROUPE THAT Is TO PERFORM TIE NAurCH DANCE
AT DAYS. THEATRE.


A TROUPE THAT Is TO PERFORM THE NAUTCH DANCE
AT DALY's THEATRE.
Henry W. French, of Boston, arrived IN thls cry
from Liverpool by the steamer City Oh DIusseis'
bringing with him troupe OF dancing e,rls, Inms,,
clans and ugglers from India These girls perform
the uautch dance. and in connection WIN the
other members of THO company are TO appear AZ
Days Theatre IN new play, tne seSnS o, M' n,
French last night and learnod from nun the follow
ing facts: Ar. .. svo
women and ten men. The women are some OF the
principal performers of India and belong 10 the only
class OF women in that country who are taught 10
read and wite The Oldest Is called Bhoonbal, ana
is twcnty-siN years old. She is one of the principal
dancers. Sahebjhan the chief dancer, is eighteen
and is one OF the greatest performers III ihd,a.
These two belong to the famous temple dancers: NO
MahaIaiah ever cntertains guest wlthou, giving
one of these dances. The Nautch dance, as ~ II
called is also feature of all religious ana noi aa
festivals The other women arc NaSeiTnpal ase
fifteen; Ala Bundi. age fourteen ana Ooiutoe -;
the Youngest. age twelve. These women nv IA
different parts OF India. Thes speak No Ehglsii'
am, are the first Mahometans who ever came 10
this country from lndia. The men are Abn9olalIy
Esmailee. manager OF Bombay Theatre ana i'l''l-
acer of this company during their tlslt mere
Goolau hoosan, Oomerkhan two; Hindoos-the
only ones in the company. by the name OF Balaya;
lmambarkha, khalOoialla, Subrung, and Moobare.
Oomerkkan is one OF the best OF Indian JuggierS.
One of the Ralayas is a KNIFE player. He Jugglcs
with long knives, keeping large number cireling
ahout his hoad al one time. Subrung is a very fine
singer. lmambarkha /, a snake charmer. tie
bIings with HIM two cobra di capellos. scorpion,
and little animal cal led mongoose which is
used to stir up the snakes II being very hostile TO
them. One OF the Baiayas cooks food for both, as
Hindoos will not eat Mahometan food mol will
Mahometans eat HindoO food These men never
dance. but they sing and play upon their native
instruments while the women 20 through Their
peculiar movements. The women also sing contir-
uay while dancing. ~,
The company left Bombay October 10. The
members of It were in excellent spirits DUNG the
trip. after their first uneaSnesS lett them. lhty
.l, f-.aI nv no
of these women Is matter of taste. In lntla they
aIe considered very handsome. Saheblhan is the
darkest but is greatly admired i'll her own country
Three OF the women are lnalned Ihey an pear
themselves modestly. They wear satin vest
which uoes not cover their threats. This Is fast
ened behind. They wear also satin trousers reach
ing nearly 10 the ankles. over all they throw the
"Sahri" long gauzc cloak. they wear nngs on
their fingers and toes, strings OF pearls about thelr
ears and ankets ami ncSc-Iings OF solid SILVER
They no diamonds. as these stones are not
fashionable in India. II was very difficult TO get
these people together and TO persuade them 70 leave
their country. Mr. French said that If Esoially
Iliptalla. IA personal friend of his, had Dot con
sented to come 10 America on visit, the others
would have been afraid To come. just before staf
ing they conceived the idea that they were coming
to America to lac sacrificed at teStr al and almost
refused TO come. They were gathered from the
neighbOrhoOd Of Allahhad and some other Indian
cities, where there are great bathing tanks. Incl:
chief duty at homo is To participate IN festivals:
Tue first rank of these women Il never permitted
to leave the temples with the permission OF the
p:iests. They all reverence their special patron
and protectress the Holy Mother Bhowanee. who
is supposed 10 he the most beautiful dancer i'll the
paradise of the HndoO religion Their dances do
not resemble what americans are accustomed to
call dances They consist of 1.-the and graceful
whiring marvellous in its QnickneSs and also %
mystic weaving and subtle pantOnlinlc cOntort0nS
explained by their songs Their dances nave a
meaning. and the sentiment OF them is always
made plain. They cover a wide range of subjects
They have dance which represents railway
train, and the clattcr Of the engine is heard all
through il. The best OF these women ale chosen
fIom the highest ste Of Indians; the next in
rank are of the Suola families or mercantile caste
Mr. DAILY is preparing play to be performed ny
his regular company, i'll one scene OF which these
people will appear.