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Description
Portrait of Ruth St. Denis in her Indian-inspired "Nautch Dance." Though nautch dancing originated in northern Indian temples, over time it progressed to palaces, and eventually to the streets. St. Denis appropriated basic movements from street dancers in Coney Island, adapting them into her own complex and rapid compilation whirling arms, drumming feet, and swishing skirts. As her career progressed St. Denis developed a variety of nautch dances with varying costumes and themes, and it is a testament to their quality that they were popular not only in America and Europe, but in India as well.
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