Nautch Girl Collection

Historical Geography
5315160 Historical Geography; (add.info.: Historical Geography. 1900. India. Consecrated in youth to the service of a deity)

Dancing Girls at a Court, c1850. Creator: Unknown
Dancing Girls at a Court, c1850

Portrait of a Nautch Girl, c. 1860s (b / w photo)
498630 Portrait of a Nautch Girl, c.1860s (b/w photo) by European Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Dancer of the popular Indian Nautch dances.); out of copyright

A Nautch girl, India (b / w photo)
3104402 A Nautch girl, India (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Nautch girl, India)

Nautch Girl, c. 1870s (b / w photo)
498621 Nautch Girl, c.1870s (b/w photo) by European Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A dancer of the traditional Indian Nautch dancers, from Kashmir.); out of copyright

Kashmiri Nautch Girl, c. 1860s (b / w photo)
498620 Kashmiri Nautch Girl, c.1860s (b/w photo) by European Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Performer of the popular Indian Nautch dances.); out of copyright

A Nautch Girl dancing (engraving)
1603011 A Nautch Girl dancing (engraving) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Nautch Girl dancing)

A Nautch Girl dancing before the Amir of Afghanistan (engraving)
1063188 A Nautch Girl dancing before the Amir of Afghanistan (engraving) by Hatherell, William (1855-1928) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Une Nautch; from Twenty four Plates Illustrative of Hindoo and European Manners in Bengal, 1832

Nautch Girls at Delhi, 1905. Artist: Mortimer Luddington Menpes
Nautch Girls at Delhi, 1905. From India, by Mortimer Menpes. Text by Flora A. Steel. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1905]

Nautch Girls, 1903. Artist: Mortimer L Menpes
Nautch Girls, 1903. From World Pictures, by Mortimer Menpes. Text by Dorothy Menpes. [A. & C. Black, London, 1903]

A nautch girl, Madras Presidency, 1902. From The Living Races of Mankind, Vol. I. [Hutchinson & Co, London, 1902]

Nautch girl with musicians, 1902. Artist: Kapp & Co
Nautch girl with musicians, 1902. From The Living Races of Mankind, Vol. I. [Hutchinson & Co, London, 1902]

Baroda nautch girls, 1902. Artist: Vernon & Co
Baroda nautch girls, 1902. From The Living Races of Mankind, Vol. I. [Hutchinson & Co, London, 1902]

Hindu Nautches Playing Cards, c1910. Hindu Nautches Playing Cards, Nautch is a style of popular dance, performed by girls known as Nautch girls in Northern India. [D. Macropolo & Co. Calcutta, c1910]

Nautch dancing girls with accompanying musicians, India, 1922. Artist: SR Norton
Nautch dancing girls with accompanying musicians, India, 1922. From Peoples of All Nations, Their Life Today and the Story of Their Past, volume IV: Georgia to Italy

Indian nautch girl, 1936. Nautch dancer wearing heavy jewellery. From Peoples of the World in Pictures, edited by Harold Wheeler, published by Odhams Press Ltd (London, 1936)

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"Captivating the Hearts: The Enigmatic World of Nautch Girls" Step back in time to the 19th century, where a series of captivating black and white photographs and engravings transport us to the mesmerizing world of Nautch girls. These alluring women, known for their exquisite beauty and graceful dance moves, were an integral part of Indian culture during this era. In a portrait captured around the 1860s, we catch a glimpse of a Nautch girl's enchanting presence. Her eyes sparkle with mystery as she dons traditional attire adorned with intricate jewelry. Another photograph from the same period showcases another bewitching figure, her elegance radiating through every delicate movement. The allure continues into the 1870s when yet another monochromatic image captures our attention. This time it is a Kashmiri Nautch girl who captivates us with her ethereal charm. Her poised stance hints at years spent perfecting her craft, ready to enthrall audiences with her rhythmic steps. Engravings add depth to our understanding of these performers' lives. One depicts a Nautch girl gracefully dancing before none other than the Amir of Afghanistan himself—a testament to their esteemed status within society. Another engraving portrays "Une Nautch, " showcasing Hindoo and European manners colliding in Bengal—an intriguing fusion that speaks volumes about cultural exchange during this period. Fast forward to early 20th-century India; we witness Mortimer Luddington Menpes' artistic interpretation capturing Delhi's vibrant scene filled with lively Nautch girls entertaining onlookers. Their colorful costumes swirl as they move gracefully across stages, leaving spectators spellbound by their talent. Traveling southwards brings us face-to-face with Madras Presidency's own enchantress—a nautch girl whose radiant smile lights up the room while she dances effortlessly amidst an atmosphere brimming with music and rhythm.