Kathak is a classical dance style rooted in North India. The 'Kathakas', from whom the dance derived its name, were a caste of storytellers that performed in the temples, courtyards and village squares. The Kathakas danced and sang and narrated stories with mime, gesture and movement for their respective audiences. In the evolution of Kathak, the influence of 'Vaishnav' religion and philosophy (from 12th century AD) brought a manifestation of the Radha and Krishna legends, which enhanced both the narrative and dance elements.
During the Muslim period (from 16th century AD) in the history of North India, the Kathakas were invited to dance in the courtyards where the focus of the dance changed from a temple ritual to that of a form of entertainment. Kathak continued to be supported by the Royal courts of North India. Bindadin Maharaj, the 'Guru' of Kathak dance, who was patronized by the Nawab of Oudh, Wajid Ali Shah (1857), wrote innumerate songs of love and devotion which are an integral part of the Kathak repertoire today.
Earlier, males performed Kathak as a solo dance form until the late 1930's, when female dancers emerged on the scene. As both male and female dancers can perform this dance style today, it became popular all over the world. The main characteristic of a Kathak performance is the immediate rapport the dancer establishes with the audience. He/she recites rhythmic syllables, which are later transformed into dance. Another important aspect of the performance is the Abhinaya or facial expression supported by gestures of the hands and movements of the body to portray the meaning of the song that accompanies the dance. The technique of Kathak is very well defined and balanced. The body is mostly upright allowing it to move swiftly and fast pirouettes and intricate footwork, which is visually very exciting. The movements of both arms are both linear and circular which makes the dance simultaneously crisp and lyrical. In the past decade, there have been some experiments in the application of Kathak technique for group composition and contemporary choreography. A future generation of Kathak dancers are getting tremendous encouragement though continuous interaction, dialogue seminars and creative work. This will take Kathak into a new era of artistic expression.
Courtesy: Kadamb Centre for Dance and Music, India
