ABSTRACT
Years ago, according to the tale, the king of Mewar 1 wagered half his holdings against the skill of a beautiful dancer from the Nat community. The young Natni, as Rajasthanis refer to women of this group, had but to tightrope walk across a lake bordering the royal palace, and half the kingdom would be hers. The king’s servants stretched a rope from the palace to a hamlet on the lake’s opposite shore. Encouraged by shouts from a crowd that had gathered to watch, the Natni nearly reached the palace grounds. With success almost within the Natni’s grasp, one of the king’s barbers emerged from the shadows and sliced the rope with his razor. Injured and drowning in the water below, the dancer cried out before sinking to her death, ‘I care neither about the kingdom nor the money! Only let my deed be remembered! Only let my name live forever!’ 2
