Kathak

Kathak (Hindi: कथक) is one of eight forms of Indian classical dance of northern India. This form of dance goes back to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks or narrators. These poets performing in village squares and temple grounds, mostly specialized in recounting mythological and moral stories of the Scriptures, and decorated with hand gestures and facial expressions in recital. E 'was essential for the stage by an act of instrumental and vocal music, and stylized, to animate the stories. Today, its form and contain traces of a temple ritual dances, and the effect of Bhakti Movement. Starting from the 16th century, is absorbed by certain aspects of Persian and Central Asian dance the dance was introduced to the courts of the king of the Mughal period.

There are three major schools of Kathak gharanas accomplish today generally draw their lineage: The gharanas in Jaipur, Lucknow and Varanasi (born in the Rajput courts of kings Kachwaha, the Nawab of Oudh, and Varanasi respectively); there is also a smaller (and later) Raigarh gharana which amalgamated technique gharanas previous three, but became famous for his own distinctive compositions.


Name Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word katha meaning story, and katthaka in Sanskrit means he / she tells a story, or fuss. The correct name कत्थक katthak the dental geminate to show a derived form, but has been simplified for modern kathak कथक. Kahe kathaa for kathak is many teachers convey to their students, which is usually translated, 's / which tells a story, is a kathak, but can also be translated "which tells a story, Kathak is.

Kathak is characterized with the fast footwork and the many numerous ‘chakkars’ or spins used in the compositions.These bards, performing in village squares and temple courtyards, mostly specialized in recounting mythological and moral tales from the scriptures, and embellished their recitals with hand gestures and facial expressions This dance originated from the Northern part of India. The name is actually a Sanskrit word which means katha-to tell a story. Kathak, like all other traditional dances of India follow the pattern where the Guru passes on the knowledge to the student, also known as the ‘shishya’. Kathak is also performed in various styles or Gharanas, such as the Lucknow Gharana, Jaipur Gharana, Rajgarh Gharana and the Banaras Gharana. Today, with the popularity of fusion, Kathak is used in combination with modern steps to create a fine blend of beautiful compositions!