Kathak

Kathak Latest News

Renowned Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia passed away recently at the age of 94.

About Kathak

• The term Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Katha’, meaning ‘story’.
• Nature of Performance: It originated as a temple performance where stories from scriptures were enacted and evolved into a court dance during the Mughal period.
• Major gharanas (schools): Prominent gharanas include the Lucknow, Jaipur, and Benaras gharanas.
• Dance style: Focus is on footwork (Tatkaar), pirouettes (Chakkars), mudras, and facial expressions. Dancers wear ankle bells (ghungroos) and perform with graceful yet intricate movements.
• Musical association: It is the only classical dance form linked to Hindustani (North Indian) music.
• Mughal influence: Under the Mughals, Kathak was transformed into a refined court art, emphasizing grace and intricate rhythmic patterns.
• Patronage: Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, played a major role in its artistic development and patronage.
• Prominent exponents: Key figures include Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Shovana Narayan, and Aditi Mangaldas.

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Kumudini Lakhia Contributions

• Kumudini Lakhia challenged the classical notion that Kathak must always revolve around storytelling based on mythological or literary themes like Radha-Krishna or Shiva-Parvati.
• She believed in “art for art’s sake”, focusing on movement, rhythm, and form over narrative content.
• Over a career spanning seven decades, she transformed Kathak from a solo narrative-based art form to a group ensemble format, incorporating contemporary themes and abstract concepts.
• Awards and Recognition: She was conferred Padma Shri in 1987, Padma Bhushan in 2010, and Padma Vibhushan in 2024 for her outstanding contribution to Indian classical dance.

Kathak FAQs

Q1: What is Kathak?
Ans: A classical Indian dance form from North India, blending Hindu and Mughal traditions, characterized by intricate footwork, spins, and storytelling.

Q2: Name its key elements.
Ans: Tatkar (footwork), Chakkar (spins), Abhinaya (expression), and rhythmic synchronization with instruments like tabla and sarangi.

Q3: What are its major gharanas?
Ans: Jaipur, Lucknow, and Banaras gharanas, each emphasizing technical precision, grace, and devotional themes, respectively.

Source: IE