Kathak is a prominent ancient Indian classical dance and is thought to have started from the wandering bards of North India known as Kathakars, meaning storytellers. These Kathakars travelled and conveyed stories by means of music, dance, and songs akin to the early Greek theatre.
The class created amid the Bhakti development, the pattern of mystical commitment which advanced in medieval Hinduism. The Kathakars convey stories through rhythmic foot movements, hand gestures, facial expressions, and eye work. This performing art that incorporates legends from ancient mythology and Indian stories, particularly from the life of Lord Krishna, became popular in the courts of North Indian kingdoms. Three distinct styles, or gharanas, which generally vary in emphasis given to footwork versus acting, are more renowned: the Jaipur Gharana, the Benaras Gharana, and the Lucknow Gharana.
History and Evolution
The foundations of Kathak are rooted in Natya Shastra, an ancient Sanskrit text written by Bharata Muni.
Collection
The three chief sections of a Kathak dance are:
- Invocation: where the artist offers his/her prayer or salutation to his/her guru and to god. In the case of Hindu performances, the artist uses mudras (hand gestures) for the same. For Muslim occasions, the artist gives a ‘salami’.
- Nritta: pure dance portrayed by the artist. He/she starts with slow and graceful movements of the neck, wrists, and eyebrows. This is followed by fast sequences according to ‘bols’. A bol is a short sequence of rhythmic patterns. Here the artist displays energetic footwork.
- Nritya: here the artist showcases a story or theme through gestures, expressions, and slow body movements accompanied by vocal and instrumental music.
As Kathak is prevalent both in Hindu and Muslim communities, the costumes of this dance form are made in accordance with the customs of the respective groups.
Read about classical dance forms of India in the linked articles below:
- Bharatnatyam
- Kuchipudi
- Odissi
- Manipuri
- Kathakali
- Mohiniyattam
- Sattriya
Instruments and Music
A Kathak performance may incorporate twelve traditional instruments depending more on the impact and depth required for a particular performance. However, a few instruments are commonly used in a Kathak performance, like the tabla that blends well with the musical foot movements of the artist and often mimics the sound of such footwork movements or vice versa to create a brilliant jugalbandi. A manjira (hand cymbals) and sarangi or harmonium are also frequently used.
Frequently Asked Questions related to Kathak
Q1: Which State is Kathak from?
Kathak dance originated from Uttar Pradesh (U.P) in North India. This one is derived from the word Katha, meaning story, and during the whole dance, the dancers narrate stories through their eyes and expressions.
Q2: Why is Kathak important?
Kathak emphasizes poses, expressions, grace, hand, eye, and body movements, and footwork. This makes your body look younger, helps you lose body weight, and brings a lot of excitement into life. Within no time, you will discover that you have become more active and full of energy.
Q3: When was Kathak invented?
The art of Kathak dancing pays a significant tribute to Indian history and accentuates Indian culture. Kathak actually dates back to the 4th century BC, where sculptures of Kathak dancers were engraved in written scripts and sculptures in ancient temples.
Q4: Who is the God of Kathak?
The stories in Kathak performances generally tend to be about the Hindu god Krishna (or in some cases Shiva or Devi), and the stories come from sources such as the Bhagavata Purana or the Indian Epics.
Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)
Consider the following Statements:
- Bharatanatyam expresses spiritual ideas pertaining to Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Shaivism.
- The three important features of Bharatanatyam are Nritta, Natya, and Nritya.
- Kuchipudi was developed as a form of worship to the Hindu God, Krishna.
- Kathak execution may incorporate twelve traditional instruments depending more on the impact and depth required for a particular execution.
Which of the following options are true?
A) Only 1 and 2 are true
B) Only 2 and 4 are true
C) Only 1, 2, and 4 are true
D) All the above 4 statements are true.
Answer: D