Native to Northern India, Kathak is one of the six classical Indian dance forms. Kathak originated within Hindu temples as a storytelling device for portraying the epic tales contained within the Hindu scriptures, Mahabharata and Ramayana. Poetry was combined with rhythmic movement to aid in the worshipful storytelling.
However, the stories didn’t stay within the temple walls for long. Nomadic Kathakas, or wandering storytellers, soon began carrying the dances throughout the country. They added emotions and facial expressions to their performances, further developing the dance to include elements of mime. In this way, Kathak transitioned from its secluded, devotional origins to a more accessible, multi-disciplined entertainment tradition.
During the medieval period, Kathak became an established part of court culture, performed under the patronage of India’s Persian kings and Muslim moghuls. This sealed Kathak’s transition from colloquial entertainment to classical art form. Behind palace walls, the emotional and graceful storytelling inherent in its Hindu roots combined with the more technical postures, rhythmic mathematics of Islam. The mesmerizing, precise, and pulsating footwork, as well as the graceful yet detailed carriage of the upper body, hand placements, and facial expressions demonstrate Kathak’s diverse cultural influences. Thus, Kathak developed into a strong dance tradition that incorporates elements of both Hindu and Muslim culture.
One medieval ruler in particular invested himself greatly into the development of Kathak: Wajid Ali Shah of Lucknow, India. A poet and dancer himself, Shah paid special attention to the emotional expressiveness of the dance. Out of his court came a stylization of Kathak that is today known as the Lucknow gharana, or school. Carefully, the generations of Shah’s chief court dancer Thakur Prasad passed on the teachings of the Lucknow gharana. Modern Kathak masters of the Lucknow tradition can still trace their lineage back to the court of Wajid Ali Shah, including the world renowned Pandit Birju Maharaj.
KDT is honored to consider Pandit Birju Maharaj, the living legend of Kathak dance, an honorary member of its Board of Directors. Because Rita is one of his longtime disciples, he is also a biannual visiting instructor at KDT’s School. Their special relationship has helped foster KDT’s strong teaching tradition and cultural vibrancy, as well as its goal to push the boundaries of Kathak dance.
We believe that this history needs to be preserved and passed along to our younger generation. Go to https://www.btaconnect.com/register to register for our Kathak Classes. Check https://www.btaconnect.com/dance for our trainers and information.
