Kathak : An Elegant and Beautiful Art of Storytelling!

Indian classical dance styles are the bedrock of the country’s culture and traditions. Among the eight classical dances, each dance form is an enthralling masterpiece of artistic expression. Particularly, Kathak is one of the prominent representations of Indian art forms, this classical dance form transcends mere artistic expression. The origin, history, evolution, and skill required to give Kathak performance embody a blend of creativity, mythology, spirituality, philosophy and science. Every movement and expression carries meaning and is executed in harmony with the rhythm and flow of the body.

What is Kathak?
Kathak derives its name from the Sanskrit word ‘Katha,’ which means story or conversation. Kathak dancers, historically known as kathakars or storytellers, roamed northern India to share tales about gods, goddesses, epics, mythologies and more. This dance form is thus an artful narrative, vividly conveyed through the dancers’ unique expressions. Kathak performers are renowned for their intricate hand and foot movements, remarkable body flexibility and eloquent facial gestures.

Kathak’s roots trace back to ancient India where it evolved from temples and ritual dances. Eventually, becoming a medium of entertainment in royal courts. The Mughal era significantly influenced Kathak, introducing elements like Persian music and dance which merged with the traditional Hindu aspects to create a distinct style.

There are three main Gharanas (schools) of Kathak including Lucknow, Jaipur and Banaras, each is known for its unique style and emphasis. The Lucknow Gharana is known for its graceful movements and emotive expressions, the Jaipur Gharana emphasizes powerful footwork and spins, and the Banaras Gharana combines the features of the other two.

The History of Kathak
Kathak inception can be traced back to 400 BCE. Kathak finds its earliest emergence in the Natya Shastra. The Natya Shastra, the earliest written text on performing arts, forms the foundation for the understanding and execution of Indian Classical dances including Kathak. Over the centuries, it was transmitted orally and through performances from one generation to the next, evolving and diversifying according to the surrounding environment and historical empires. For instance, under the influence of the Rajput’s and during the Mughal era, Kathak introduced many cultural nuances from these periods. Consequently, Kathak eventually branched into different ‘guaranas’ based on geographical location and the patronage it received.

Join Kathak Dance Classes Today!
Kathak is a captivating dance form that has so much to offer, it has elegance, culture, history, meaning and lots more. There are so many reasons and benefits that you should think of investing in a Kathak dance class or Kathak Online Diploma Course at the Kathak Institute.