Women of all nations; a record of their characteristics, habits, manners, customs and influence . patter of the rain, thecadences of the wind sighingthrough the trees, sounds thatare discordant, but which yetproduce a whole that repre-sents the harmony of nature. Undoubtedly Indian music—whether it be the crudedrumming of the tom-tom,which is not without itsrhythm, or the wailing ofthe pipes, or moaning of thestrings ?— moves the Orientalstrongly. Like the Greekmusic played before the greatAlexander it excites everyemotion in turn. When thevoice of the dancing girl israised in sensual
Women of all nations; a record of their characteristics, habits, manners, customs and influence . patter of the rain, thecadences of the wind sighingthrough the trees, sounds thatare discordant, but which yetproduce a whole that repre-sents the harmony of nature. Undoubtedly Indian music—whether it be the crudedrumming of the tom-tom,which is not without itsrhythm, or the wailing ofthe pipes, or moaning of thestrings ?— moves the Orientalstrongly. Like the Greekmusic played before the greatAlexander it excites everyemotion in turn. When thevoice of the dancing girl israised in sensual song, and herlimbs quiver with voluptuousmovement, the audience isplaced in strong sympathy with the couplewho are on the point of culminating themost important event of their lives. The dance performed is not of the nature of an agile springing step such as is shown on the European stage. It is a swaying motion that recalls the movement of a graceful palm bending to the breeze in the sunlight, every leaf instinct with vitality, and swinging in rhythm to the sighing of the wind. As the. Hindu Music. ?:slott &? Hoffmann, Calcutta. A BENGALI SINGER AND eyebrows are painted ; her complexion is whealen. The tiny bells on herhead-ornament tinkle as she dances. There is much feasting and wearing ofnew clothes and jewellery, which the women,whether shut up in the zenanaor allowed their liberty, greatlyenjoy. Another pleasure connected withthe wedding throughout India is the presenceof the dancing girl and her musicians. Asthe Hindu finds the astrologer indispensable,so he considers the accompaniment of musicequally necessary at every function. Noceremony, joyful or sorrowful, can proceedwithout it. Marriages, funerals, religious HinduDancing. NORTH INDIA 593 music rises and falls, the nautch girl swaysher body, lifting her arms, extending herhands and treading on her heels, that, likethe base of the palm, seem rooted to theground, in spite of the slight locomotionthat
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