Major Styles Of
Bharatnatyam |
Musical
Instrument |
Training
Institutes |
Famous Maestros |
Tours
Kathak
is one of the classical dance form of northern India. Kathak literally means
“ to tell a story”. It is a form of dance that narrates a
mythological story by facial expressions and movements. Fast
movements(tatkar) and spin (chakkar) are the hallmarks of the dance. Unlike
many other classical dances of India, it is fast and always keep the
audience on the edge, not to miss a single movement. The dance movements
emphasize on the facial expressions and rhythmic movements.
The classical dance is in the form of tandav and Lasya. Kathak has a
distinguish history. In the ancient north India, nomadic bards known as
kathaks(story teller) used to narrate stories form mythology to villages and
temple courtyards. Later they started adding mime and gestures to
recitation. The next stage in its evolution came in the 15th and 16th
centuries with the popularization of Radha Krishna legends. During Mughal
period, Kathak became a court dance and received encouragement. Kathak may
be the only form of Indian dance , which drew inspiration from Hindu and
Muslim culture. Also it depends on percussion music. The rhythms of ankle
bells and percussions make the dance movement spellbinding. One can visually
imagine the music. The combination of music and dance movements bestow a
scintillating image.
This theatrical dance form typically feature a solo dancer on the stage.
The dancer slowly enter the stage and stand erect for sometime. One foot
with heel raised is crossed before other one and one arm is raised above the
head, and the other one extended to its side or placed at an angle before
the body. The dancer begin with salutation (amad or salami), followed by
recitation of dance syllables by steps (paranas), dramatic beats (tora) and
the climax of a set of sequence with intricate devices of rthyms (turkas).
Teh show end with permutation and combination of rhythmic steps with some
fast movement (tatkars). The dance movement.
Major
Styles Of Kathak
Jaipuria Gharana – This is the style originated in the courts
of Kachwaha Rajputs kings. Jaipuria style is renowned for fast spins and
magical footwork. It is a complicated pure dance patterns.
Lucknow Gharana or Style - it is more elegant than Jaipuria style,
emphasize on the facial expressions and rhythmic movements. The whole story
telling part of dance drama is very engrossing. This dance form easily
captures the emotional quotient of audience and one will absorbed in the
performance.
Benaras Gharana or Style – This style is based on ‘natwari
bols’ and simplest of three. Story telling is the common factor, but in
Banaras style spin or chakkar is less prominent. All starts with slow
gracious movements and slow cadences and gradually increase the speed with
some amazing music.
Musical Instruments Accompany
Bharatnatyam
Bansuri
Dilruba
Esraj
Ghungharu
Harmonium
Pakhawaj
Santur
Sarangi
Sarod
Sitar
Surmandal
Tabla
Tanpura
Some Famous Training Institutes
Under Kathak Maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj Akshara Theater, 11-12-b, Baba
Kharag Singh Marg New Delhi(Besides Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital)
Tagore International School Vasant Vihar New Delhi
Under Purnima Pande 3/2,Officer's Colony kesarbagh, Lucknow- 226001
kathak Kendra Bhawalpur House Bhagwan Das Road New Delhi-110001
Nupur Zankar Center Samaj Kalyan Kendra Thakur complex, Kandivili East,
Mumbai- 400101
Famous Bharatnatyam Maestros
Pandit Birju Maharaj – He is the leading exponent of Lucknow
gharana. Besides kathak, he is also master in Hindustani music and an
accomplished vocalist. He innovated some Kathak dance dramas and made kathak
popular in across the world. He won Padma Vibhusam in 1986, Sangeet Natak
Academy award, Kalidas Samman, he received honorary doctorate from Banaras
Hindu University and Khairagarh university.
Chitresh Das – At the age of nine Chitresh Das started learning
Kathak. He gradually mastered in both Lucknow and Jaipur gharana. He owned
some reputed schools in USA. His accomplishment included Dance Icon of the
West, Life Time Achievement Award in San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival,
2004, Irvine Fellowship in Dance from James Irvine Foundation, 2001
Sitara Devi - Sitara Devi is an eminent Kathak dancer born in
Kolkata(1920). she performed in almost every part of India and also many
countries. She has been confered many awards including Padma Shree, Kaildas
Award, and received applause when she performed in Royal, Victoria hall in
London and Carnegie Hall New York.
Related Storie(s)
Agra’s Musical
Connection- By Kornika
