A a girl dances accompanied by musicians. Watercolour.

  • Deen Alee.
Date:
1800-1899
Reference:
34305i
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Description

"When a girl is to dance the Kuharwa, she ties a sash round her loins, through which she pulls up her gown; puts another across her shoulders, and a man's turban upon her head; and in this dress, unless she is naturally very pretty, she looks worse than before: though to a fine animated countenance it gives a certain spirited and roguish air, which seldom fails to attract a due degree of admiration. In this favourite dance the most indecent gestures are used, meant to raise admiration and desire; but which, in uninitiated English bosoms, seldom excite any thing but disgust. Such attractions has it nevertheless, that it is always called for; and young and old, great and small, Europeans as well as natives, look forward to the Kuharwa with anxiety; and sit for hours to witness its performance. It is no uncommon thing, for one woman to continue dancing and singing throughout the whole night; and to desist, some time after the day has broken, without evincing any symptoms of fatigue after so great and continued an exertion."--Broughton, op. cit., p. 192

Publication/Creation

1800-1899

Physical description

1 painting : watercolour ; image 17 x 15 cm

Lettering

A girl dancing the Kuharwa.

Creator/production credits

A watercolour of this composition was created by one Deen Alee before 1813 and was copied by John Augustus Atkinson as an illustration of Broughton's letters. Atkinson's aquatint of this composition, published with Broughton's letters in 1813, is described in its lettering as "Etched by J.A. Atkinson from the original drawing by Deen Alee". The present watercolour has the same composition

Reference

Wellcome Collection 34305i

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