Evening star., 1914-02-08
Two Types of Nautch Girls.

Generally speaking. nautch girls may
he divided into two classes. There is the
one VINO mas Won through until she has
been brought to the notice OF some raiah
or wealthy native, after which her path
IS made smooth by lavish attentions. She
lives in one of the garden summer houses
often small palaces owned by the rich
one who goes out there from the city TO
seek rest and entertainment. and the In
diaus pleasure. must, of necessity. in
clUde the attendance Of women whose
only duty is IT, lnlIse.
This n3utcn girl, So long she remains
il favor. which. of course. depends as
much upon the whirns Of her patron as
upon her own attractiveness, lives in lux
urIouS laZIneSS and Il only called upon TO
I,erfo. m her professional part when the
master OF tho mcnaSe desires his own Or
his guests entertainment. In the latter
instance she IL pat to the test, for she
has to maintain not her own ability alone
but a 50 her patrons repute IS Il man
wealthy enough TO command the best
dancers III 4 province. for among men of
substance the possession OF one more
tIrst-clasS naTtch girls is as mitch Il
matter OF social repute as is the posses
sion OF an efficient cook by an English
man who wishes to be known for th.
good dinners lie provides for his guests.
In the cold weather this native. if
III has any }ink-pfofeSslonai or conIr}eT
C:al-wlth the English. OF if he be a rajah
and has socla pretensions. will havr the
pick Of his nautch girls brought INTO his
city residence to increase his fame by
tleiI agility.
But what OF the n4uteh girl who las
no wealthy patrons-who can be hired
for a very few rupees to dance at any
tie fu1ct'ciI-SsiN. the &c ehrati on of the
betrotti;.l of the son Of Il poor b;Lbu. :
clerk at one Of the great tea warehouses;
ia ti!C city. and who lives out IL a W ~eIc.I-
ed ina iaria-infeSted village consisting ot
mud buSJfs- -trows of hutSi Sheltered from
tie sun by towering palm trees? These
nien need their pleasures uSt IS much
a the rich rajah and they manage to
secure them.
The dancer they hire NAV have talent
which presently will bring her wealth.
70 some OF the nautch givis cf Gndis,
draw much as our bisgest-paid music
i.all artists
She may be -aking her first sten "A ro,s
the road that leads 10 the -,ljil.is garden
house where she will have women 20 Wa
On her. perfume her raven iiair, oil he9
flexible body. dreSs her in the most costly
and most brilliant hUed silks and clasp
about her arms and ankles mead. heck,
bosom and waist. d profusioT Of costly
Jewelry that would render many
European lady OF i gin estate incapable of
motion. so heavy does the ful war Faint
Of the favorites Of The r:tutch weigh
But if she has 10 latent talent. il she
he. as too often is the case. creature
living in the lowest quarters of the native
city. she must accept the poor mans
pay. put on brass or7IuEIen5s il! place of
her fortunate sisters golden ones. and
walk with covered face 20 the house
where she is to perform. instead OF being
conveyed in Il magnificeTJ palaukeen,
borne and surrounded by Everied s-rv-
ants with torches, and shouting Justify
for u clear way in the narrow street
u I'D with and v-"-'.- children,
goats. holy bulls and pariall dogs.
The most respondent nautch party the
writer ever attended was given nX
T,41fara jah q friend of ali English mon
arch a man educated III an English uni
yersity. and of immense opuience. The
warbleraved courtyard of his palace
could accommodate = couple OF hundred
guests, and large proportion were Eng
lisii
--a.tves squatted "r six cushions on
the ground, only tine ss.hibs sitting in
.lairS.
In the middle of the courtyard 4 space
some twenty yards square was kept for
the nautch girls, who came on in turn,
each with her own band of weird rnu-
sicians, and performed fo- the pIaudits
OF the thronS.
The favorites are TO be known by their
jewelry. which forms the chief part Of
their dress. and also by their s4udaci;y
for the nautch Girl who stands high VIII.
on sGcit an occasion. exercise every
charm she possesses TO secure :. greater
fflly9