My study revolves around the dance-form, costumes, ornaments and social customs of the Nautch girls.
Nautch or Nac girls(spelt variously by various authors) refers to a set of dance performers who previously existed during the Mughal rule and got their name Nautch (from the word Naach) from the Europeans during the days of colonial rule by the East India company.
Kathak gradually evolved during the course of several centuries imbibing the diverse influences of the temple courtyard on the one hand and the palaces and princes on the other. When Kathak moved from temple to court it made suitable adjustment in its repertoire, techniques and manner of execution.
The British system of education did not recognise "arts" as a subject and the result was the degeneration of an age old dance tradition. The late-nineteenth century and early 20th century saw the emergence of a sect of female dancers who were known as Nautch(in the North and Sadir in the South) girls. Many of the sketches by European artists brought by the East India Company during the early days of colonial rule throw light on the Nautch tradition and it's close relationship with the Kathak form of dance.
My Project proposes the intense study of Nautch/Nac tradition that is so profusely registered in the paintings and sketches of mid 18th to 19th century(during the East India Company's rule) yet is so neglected an area so far as the study of our dance-tradition is concerned. From the preliminary study that I have conducted in this regard, it has made me immensely curious to probe furthur into the following issues :