IT’S STEPS ARE THE WORDS

IT’S TECHNIQUE IS THE VOICE

IT’S PERFORMANCE IS THE STORY

K A TH A K

PRESENTED BY : GARIMA SACHAN

• Kathak is a classical dance form of north India.

• The word Kathak is derived from sanskrit word ‘katha’ means story and ‘kathakars’ means storytellers.

• Kathakars enacted the stories of Hindu mythology with a combination of songs, mime and dance to entertain and to evoke devotion.

INTRODUCTION

ORIGIN

In ancient times, nomads known as ‘kathakas’ recited stories of epics with some elements of dance.

There are literary references from the 3rd and 4th centuries which refer to kathakas. The two texts are in the archives of Kameshwar library at Mithila.

There are also two verses from the Mahabharata which refer to Kathakas.

By the 13th century a definite style had emerged and soon technical features developed.

PURE DANCE (NRITTA)a progression from slow to fast, ending with a dramatic climaxA short dance composition is known as a tukra, a longer one as a toda.

PURE DANCE(NRITTA)A progression from slow to fast ,ending with a dramatic climax.FootworkBols (rhythmic words)Signature  spins

EXPRESSIVE DANCE (NRITYA)The traditional expressive or abhinaya piecesFacial expressionsGesturesConveying a meaning

REPERTOIRE

EVOLUTION

In the 15th-16th century at the time the Bhakti movement, Rasalilas had a tremendous impact on Kathak.

IN THE MUGHAL PERIOD After the 16th century, the dance reached the Mughal court where it   encountered dancers from Persia. Dancers were offered gifts of gold, jewels and royal favor. Dance competitions were held frequently. Dancers imported from the Central Asia spread their ideas to Kathak dancers. straight-legged position  rhythmic footwork with150 ankle bells on each leg. signature 'chakkars' (spins) abhinaya( the art of expression). body postures like tribhangi position

COURT INFLUENCESLUCKNOW GHARANA

Founder - Ishwari Prasad.

It came into existence in the early 19th century in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the ruler of Awadh.

Gurus-Thakur Prasad Maharaj and his grandsons Achchan Maharaj, Lachu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj.

 Presently, Birju Maharaj is considered the chief representative of this gharana.

Expressional qualities, graceful movements, elegance and natural poise with dance.

JAIPUR GHARANAFounder- Bhanuji.

 It developed in the courts of the Kachchwaha kings of Jaipur in Rajasthan.

Gurus-  Jai Lal , Sunder Prasad,Narayan Prasad, Kundanlal Gangani , Sunderlal Gangani and Durga Lal.

complex and powerful footwork, multiple spins, and complicated compositions in different  talas.

Presently the prominent artist of this gharana are Rajendra Gangani, Prerana Shrimali, Pratishtha Sharma.

BENARAS GHARANAFounder- Jankiprasad.Exclusive use of the natwari or dance bols.Differences in the thaat and tatkaar, and chakkars .Also a greater use of the floor. Gurus- Chunnilal ,Krishna Kumar ,Sitara Devi.

RAIGARH GHARANAFounder- Raja Chakradhar Singh.Gurus- Pt. Kartik Ram, Late Pt. Phirtu Maharaj, Pt. Ramlal, Yasmin Singh, Anuradha Singh, Mohini Moghe, Bhagwaandas Manik, Bhupendra Bareth.Development of new Kathak and tabla compositions.

DURING BRITISH RULE The advent of British Rule in India sent Kathak into sharp decline. 

 The Victorian administrators publicly pronounced it unlovely form of entertainment.

 Kathak acquired an image of the British concept of nautch.

The role of the tawaifs in preserving the art forms should not be underestimated.

In the early 20th century,  Kalka Prasad Maharaj, whose sons Acchan, Lacchhu and Shambhu Maharaj,  went on carry forward the tradition generation,  as dance gurus.

PRESENT SCENARIO Today, Kathak has regained its popularity and it is now one of the eight officially sanctioned classical dance forms of India.

Different dancers have worked on the form in different ways: Sitara Devi(daughter of Sukhdev Maharaj of Banaras) has impressed many audiences by her lively, zestful and fiery performances.

 Kumudini Lakhia along with Birju Maharaj, has introduced the relative innovation of multi-person choreographies in Kathak, which was traditionally a solo dance form.

Rohini Bhate greatly enriched Kathak's rhythmic repertoire by creating a large corpus of dance compositions.

 Durga Lal of the Jaipur gharana was famed for his speed and easy style of performance.

Thank You

ANY QUESTIONS ??