www.artindia.net
First portal on Indian Classical performing and allied arts. Since 1998.
www.artindia.net
INDIAN DANCE
ABOUT KATHAK
KATHAK GURUS
KATHAK PERFORMERS
KATHAK INSTITUTIONS
BHARATA NATYAM
KATHAK
CHHAU
KATHAK
KATHAKALI

Birju Maharaj

This dance form traces its origins to the the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or story tellers. 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. It was quintessential theatre, using instrumental and vocal music along with stylized gestures, to enliven the stories. With the advent of Mughal culture, Kathak became a sophisticated chamber art. Patronized by art loving rulers, the practitioners of Kathak worked at refining its dramatic and rhythmic aspects, delighting elite audiences with their mastery over rhythm and the stylized mime.

The technique of Kathak today is characterized by fast rhythmic footwork set to complex time cycles. The footwork is matched by the accompanying percussion instruments such as tabla and pakhawaj, and the dancer and percussionists often indulge in a virtuoso display of rhythmic wizardry.The dance movements include numerous pirouettes executed at lightning speed and ending in statuesque poses. The interpretative portion, based on tales of Radha and Krishna and other mythological lore, contains subtle gestures and facial expressions. Lucknow, Banaras and Jaipur are recognized as the three schools, or gharanas, where this art was nurtured and where the interpretative and rhythmic aspects were refined to a high standard.

Text by ANJANA RAJAN

KOODIYATTAM
KUCHIPUDI
MANIPURI
MODERN
MOHINIATTAM
ODISSI
SATTRIYA
OTHERS
CARNATIC MUSIC
ABOUT
VOCAL
VEENA
FLUTE
VIOLIN
MRIDANGAM
GHATAM
KANJIRA
OTHERS
HINDUSTANI MUSIC
ABOUT
VOCAL
SITAR
SAROD
FLUTE
VINA
SHEHNAI
VIOLIN
TABLA
PAKHAWAJ
SARANGI
SANTOOR
www.artindia.net
www.artindia.net Launched in 1998 by GS RAJAN. Inaugurated by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.
© Art India Net. ® 1998--2007.
We welcome your suggestions and comments to improve this site. Please post an e-mail to add information.
Founder/ Content Editor/ Site Construction/ Maintenance: GS Rajan, Technical Advisor: Sudhir Gandotra Hosted by Communicators - Indserve Infotech P Ltd. © ®
ABOUT US
ADVERTISE WITH US
www.artindia.net
ABOUT KATHAK
KATHAK GURUS
KATHAK PERFORMERS
KATHAK INSTITUTIONS