Nautch
The nautch (/ˈnɔːtʃ/, from the Hindustani naach, meaning "dance") was a form of popular court and royal entertainment in colonial India, performed by women known as nautch girls. The term "nautch" is an anglicized version of the Hindustani word nach (dance), introduced through British colonial contact with Indian elites, during the early 19th century.[1][1]
Originally a prestigious art form, the nautch was prominent in royal courts, palaces of nawabs, and among high-ranking British officials. Over time, it extended to zamindari households as well. However, under the British Raj, changing moral standards—especially Victorian notions of propriety—led to the stigmatization of the nautch. Once seen as refined entertainers, nautch girls were increasingly viewed as immoral, resulting in the loss of patronage and, in many cases, a forced drift toward prostitution, particularly as British men began marrying women from Britain rather than keeping Indian mistresses. By the early 20th century, to describe a woman as a "nautch girl" implied a captivating presence marked by beauty, skill, and an alluring style that could command male attention.
History
A specific community of women performed exclusive ritual dances in temples, processions and festivities. The women were trained by male masters who were also their accompanying instrumentalists. As a social occupational group this community held elaborate ceremonies for initiating girls into dance training and inducting them into the profession. They commanded prestige and privilege, received land grants from temple administration, and lived matrilenially.[2]
With the advent of the Mughal empire and the British colony, the dance developed into as courtly art and amateur theatre. Nautch performances were regular features of royal durbars (courts) and private gatherings. Dancers were sometimes even part of royal entourages, including during military campaigns. Events often featured a full nautch party, including musicians and multiple dancers, with the number and style of performers reflecting the host's social status. A reception for the Prince of Wales in 1876 included a grand nautch at the railway station in the South Indian province Madras.