File:Winter India (1903) (14576615578).jpg

Identifier: winterindia00scid (find matches)
Title: Winter India
Year: 1903 (1900s)
Authors: Scidmore, Eliza Ruhamah, 1856-1928
Subjects: India -- Description and travel
Publisher: New York : The Century Co.
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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e great Nautch dance in thecholtry, or Hall of a Thousand Columns. Thatnoblest Brahman of them all, who had maintained aparticular protectorate over us in the jewel-roomand so summarily checked the other Brahmans whenthey extolled the jewels too full-lunged, all but gavehis arm as he escorted us across the court, wavingthe others aside or pushing them with force whennecessary. This arch-heathen, Pattu Thacheadar,the Superb, highest-caste Dikshatar Brahman of thewhite cord and the carved bead, was altogetherthe finest specimen Chidambram afforded, andsculptor or painter would equally delight in him asmodel. This big Brahman beau-ed us gallantlyacross the courts, up into the lofty pillared hall, andseated us in the waiting arm-chairs with a grace andaddress that would have become a leader of cotillions—barefooted, with only a red-bordered sheet for hisfull-dress uniform of social ceremony! The magistrate, in his scholarly, gold-bowedspectacles, and the disdainful little goddess, Thun-
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l-Alir THAClllCADAK. FOR THE HONOR AND GLORY OF SHIVA 59 gama, throned upon the peons shoulders, were withUS; and the august company of Brahmans seatedthemselves in a half-circle upon the stone floor,Pattu, the Superb, towering head and shoulders inthe front row of the highest-caste marks. There wasa May-pole in the middle of the vaulted hall, hungover with long streamers. Six barefooted, neat-looking colored girls instarched muslin dress skirts and velvet jackets ofantiquated cut and no fit whatever, stepped forwardand, in methodical march and countermarch to anasal chorus, braided the May-poles ribbons downto their hands; in reverse order unbraided them,and stepped demurely back in line. We were breath-less with surprise. Was that the famous sacred temple dance ? Couldsix octoroons, matter-of-fact young yaller gals,shuffling slowly around a May-pole, ever give rise tosuch visions of beauty and grace as only the nameof the Nautch dance conjures up ? Oh, no! It wassurely coming next.

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