Kathak
Story telling through song and dance has been an essential element of Indian culture down the ages. Kathak as a dance form originates in ancient north India where story tellers, mostly nomadic, moved village to village performing at temples, village squares and social or community get-togethers. They recounted tales from Indian mythology, moral stories and excerpts from ancient Indian scriptures. These nomadic bards were called Kathakas and they told stories (called Kathas in Sanskrit/Hindi) through dance and music using hand gestures (Mudras) and movements, drama through facial expressions and gestures (Abhinaya) and intricate footwork (Tatkar).
During the Mughal era in north India, Kathak gained the patronage of the Mughal courts and became a more stylized form of chamber art. As Kathakas advanced their technique, refined the dramatic and rhythmic aspects, and enhanced their expert skills in rhythm and mime, Kathak became a more complex and fascinating dance form.
Lucknow, Banaras and Jaipur are recognized as the three schools, or gharanas, where Kathak as an art was nurtured and refined. At Sanskriti, we teach you a blend of various styles and gharanas, with an emphasis on the Lucknow gharana. Join now or contact us for more information.
Joining a Kathak class at Sanskriti Arts, you will be trained under the expert guidance of founder, Puja Amin and her team of skilled instructors
We teach all you want to know about Kathak:
- From simple tukdas (short dance pieces)to fast rhythmic footwork set to complex time cycles
- Dance movements including numerous chakkars (pirouettes) performed at high speeds
- Salaams and pranams (forms of physical salutation)
- Abhinaya to Nakhras (playful mischief depicted in dance)
- To ending your thumri (a semi-classical piece, usually about a girl's love for Lord Krishna), tihai or tukda in a Thaat (statuesque pose).