Kathak

KATHAK is one of the main Indian classical dances and it has widely spread in northern part of India. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word kathaka, storyteller. Kathak used to be performed by a group of Brahmins in praise of the lord. These Brahmins transmitted knowledge of religious epics and mythology (such as the MAHABHARATA and the RAMAYANA) by the combination of music, dance, acting and narration. Around the 16th century, the dance form was enriched under the patronage of Muslim Nawabs and Hindu Maharajas- the subtlety of movements, intricate rhythm and breathtaking pirouettes developed. Kathak is the only classical dance form in India that has a unique synthesis of Hindu and Muslim Cultures. During the British colonization, the technical development of Kathak has deteriorated as the patronage of Muslim Nawabs and Hindu Maharajas stopped. The dance enters into a new phase, where it was performed not for the audience in the courts. Many dancers survived as tawaif (courtesans). These tawaives maintained traditional elements of kathak but also contributed to develop dances for semi-classical music such as thumri and ghazal. After the independence of India, Kathak has again started its new era. The classical, semi-classical and modern elements have been combined and itfs been danced to different types of music and innovation in choreography is widely attempted.









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