Hindoo Nautch Girls

This print titled Hindoo Nautch Girls was first published in the F. M Coleman edited publication, ‘Typical Pictures of Indian Natives’, in 1897. This book consists of a collection of hand-coloured photographs depicting costumes worn by Indians of various castes and occupations. Such picture portraits initiated a genre of popular imagery which was reproduced on postcards and purchased by Europeans during their travels in India.

This hand coloured photograph depicts Hindoo nautch girls or dancing girls. Nautches or public dance performances were arranged by the elite aristocracy or the merchants on special occasions and many distinguished Company officers were invited to such performances.