The term ‘Kathak’ has not been used to describe these dances and dancers, and the terminology used in those dances is very different from what is used today. Furthermore, Kathak footwork includes not only variations in speed but also the execution of complex rhythmic patterns by moving the feet in a variety of ways. This posture allows the dancer to move their feet freely in various patterns and at a high speed.
Kathak is the only classical dance form that stands out for its straight legs-erect knees posture, so the bent knees pose of dance in sculptures cannot be attributed to it. While there is sculptural evidence of dance in temple walls (the first temples date from the Gupta period in the 7th century AD), the postures do not resemble Kathak dance postures. The hasta was reduced to the bust level in subsequent years. The majority of the dancers have one arm near their ear in a “pataka hasta” position (Murda). The dancers are depicted in a vertical stance in the 2nd century BC panels discovered in Bharhut, with their arm positions already evoking today’s Kathak movements. The Natya Shastra, attributed to sage Bharata, is the earliest surviving text with Kathak roots, and its first complete compilation is dated between 200 BCE and 200 CE, though estimates vary between 500 BCE and 500 CE. The Kathak tradition in India dates back to 400 BCE. Kathak dance originated in the 4th century BC when sculptures of Kathak dancers were engraved in written scripts and sculptures in ancient temples. Kathak dancing is an art form that pays homage to Indian history and enhances Indian culture. Kathakas were storytellers who traveled around India telling epic tales of gods and goddesses such as the Mahabharata to locals. Kathak dance originates from Northern India, and ‘Kathak’ itself derives from the Sanskrit word ‘Katha’, meaning story. The difference between the sub-traditions is the relative emphasis on acting versus footwork, with Lucknow style emphasizing acting and Jaipur style famous for its spectacular footwork.
The dancer makes various facial expressions with her brows. The dancer’s eyes serve as a medium for communicating the story he or she is attempting to tell. The eyes and foot movements become the primary focus of the dance. The legs and torso are generally straight, and the story is told through gestures such as arm and upper body movement, facial expressions, neck movements, eye, and brow movement, stage movements, bends, and turns. The Kathak dance form is distinguished by its emphasis on rhythmic foot movements adorned with small bells (Ghungroo), and the movement harmonized to the music. The Jaipur gharana emphasizes foot movements, whereas the Banaras and Lucknow gharanas emphasize facial expressions and graceful hand movements. Kathak is divided into three different styles known as “gharanas,” which are named after the cities where the Kathak dance tradition evolved: Jaipur, Banaras, and Lucknow. Ras Lila’s dance, on the other hand, was mostly an extension of the Kathakars’ or storytellers’ basic mime and gesture, which fit well with the existing traditional dance. It combined in itself music, dance, and the narrative. Ras Lila’s rise, particularly in the Braj region (Mathura in Western Uttar Pradesh), was a significant development. The Radha-Krishna theme proved immensely popular along with the works of Mirabai, Surdas, Nandadas, and Krishnadas.
The Vaishnavite culture that swept North India in the 15th Century with the bhakti movement contributed to a whole new range of lyrics and musical forms.
Kathak performances represent stories from Indian mythology which includes abstract dance elements and focus on footwork set to complex rhythmic Style. Kathak Dance is a North Indian classical dance. You are here Home - Indian Classical Dance - Kathak Dance: Origin, Costume, Facts, Repertoire 2021
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