Kathak

The graceful dance of North India origin ‘Kathaa’ ‘Kahe’ so ‘Kathak’ ‘Kahave’, the one who tells stories is Kathakaar or Kathak.  Also known as ‘Natwari Nrutya’. Kathak is one of the most charming dance forms of India. The themes of Kathak revolve around Stories of Ramayan, Mahabharat, and Krishna.  Apart from this,  Kathak encompasses presentations on manifold subjects.  Raslila of Braj is quite akin to Kathak.  A Solo Dance form but group compositions on themes with perfect synchronization steals the heart.

The specialties of Kathak

• Kathak is world famous for its spectacular footwork, amazing spins, Nazakat and Padhant (Chanting of bols, toda, tukdas by dancer himself and then performing). This is the distinctive feature of Kathak.
• It creates a nexus between the dancer and audience.
• The body movements are quite straight as compared to Bend movements of South Indian Dances.
• The heavy ghunghroos are worn by the Dancers – 100/200/250 on one leg.
• There is a wide variety of sounds are hidden in these ghunghroos like running train, heavy rains, Sound of Horse riding,( Ghode ki chaal) and much more. This adds more beauty to the performance.

The four main Gharanas, or schools of kathak dance   

• These are the Jaipur, Lucknow, Raigarh and the Benares gharanas.
• These schools are named according to the geographical area in which they developed.
• Each has a slight difference in interpretation and repertoire and can be recognized from their presentations.

The Sequence of Kathak dance   

1. Starts with Vandana ( Worshipping God).
2. Uthaan.
3. That.
4. Aamad (sequence of That Aamad Uthaan may be different in different gharanas).
5. Salaami.
6. Toda Tukdas.
7. Tihai.
8. Paran.
9. Gatnikas.
10. Gatbhaav (Story)
11. Ladi-Tatkaar(Footwork)
12. End with a Bhajan, Thumri, Tarana or Ashtapadi, Kajri, Chaiti, Chaturang etc.

The costume, makeup, and ornaments used for Kathak

• Traditionally, Sari, Ghagra-Choli, Chudidar Frock – Jacket, Dupatta for women and men can wear Chudidar Kurta and Dupatta tied at the waist.
• This dance-drama may have costumes as per the character.
• Makeup is not much heavy but is quite sharp and Fine to reflect the expressions. A bun or long plaits with garland looks beautiful.
• Mostly white—yellow pearl ornaments are used.

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The music and instruments used for Kathak dance form

• Hindustani Music: Lyrics may be in Hindi, Brij, Sanskrit or any other regional language.
• Instruments like Pakhawaj, Tabla, Sarangi, Sitar, Harmonium, Flute, Sarod, etc. are used.

The revival of Kathak dance forms

• The value of this dance form diminished during the Moghul period but still, there were certain good technical changes like inclusion of Thumri in Kathak.
• The period of Nawab Wajidali Shah was a golden age for Kathak. He himself was a great artist and extensively promoted Kathak.
• The King of Raigarh Raja Chakradhar  Singh who himself was a Kathak dancer gave birth to Raigarh Gharana of Kathak—greatest contribution to Kathak.
• Achhan Maharaj, Shambhu Maharaj, Gopi Krishna, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Pandit Rajendra Ganagani ji, Sitara Devi, Rohini Bhate, Maya Rao, Mandvi Singh, Shama Bhate, Shovana Narayana and many more artists gave their priceless contribution in Kathak .
• Kathak Kendra Delhi, a constituent Body of Sangeet Natak Akademi and many other governments and private institutes all over the world strive hard continuously for the training and promotion of Kathak.