Kathak History
The statement of Sharangdev from 'Sangeet Ratnakar,
"गीतं वाद्यं च नृत्यं त्रयं संगीत मुच्यते,
नृत्यं वाद्यानुगम प्रोक्तं वाद्यं गीतानुवर्तीच"
It says, ‘Singing, playing an instrument and dancing are closely related to each other and form the core of Indian Classical Music.’Kathak is a North Indian classical dance,which originated over 2000 years ago as a temple dance. Theword “Kathak” is derived from Katha meaning “the art of storytelling”. It is the community of artists known as “kathakas” whose hereditary profession was to recite history while entertaining. With dance, music & mimic show, these storytellers of ancient India brought to life the great Indian Epics – The Mahabharata, The Ramayana, The mythological stories & The Puranas of Sanskrit literature. While reciting they sang, danced and acted. The art was handed down from one generation to the next generation in a hereditary manner as an oral custom.
"गीतं वाद्यं च नृत्यं त्रयं संगीत मुच्यते,
नृत्यं वाद्यानुगम प्रोक्तं वाद्यं गीतानुवर्तीच"
It says, ‘Singing, playing an instrument and dancing are closely related to each other and form the core of Indian Classical Music.’Kathak is a North Indian classical dance,which originated over 2000 years ago as a temple dance. Theword “Kathak” is derived from Katha meaning “the art of storytelling”. It is the community of artists known as “kathakas” whose hereditary profession was to recite history while entertaining. With dance, music & mimic show, these storytellers of ancient India brought to life the great Indian Epics – The Mahabharata, The Ramayana, The mythological stories & The Puranas of Sanskrit literature. While reciting they sang, danced and acted. The art was handed down from one generation to the next generation in a hereditary manner as an oral custom.
Kathak Dance Style
Traditionally, Kathak danced by both men & women. It is the only dance form in India that has a synthesis of Hindu & Muslim cultures. This dance form is based on the philosophy of the trinity – creation (Brahma), preservation (Vishnu) & destruction (Maheshwara). “KATHAK” emphasis Abhinaya, meaning of communication and emotion of a story and song with giving facial expressions, hands gestures, Hard foot work & symbolic postures of the body. Kathak is based on Bhava (mood), raga (melody) & Taal (rhythmic beat).The Kathak startle or commences with the invocation to gods Ganesha, Shiva, Saraswati, Vishnu & Krishna salutations to the Guru.
In technical terms Kathak is separated into two major parts. The first part constitutes of nritta and abhinaya whereas the second part has Tandava and Lasya.The dance form focuses a lot on of intricate leg movements. They are skillfully done and performed straight legged. The dancers also wear ghungroos or ankle bells which makes a characteristic noise every time they move their feet.
In technical terms Kathak is separated into two major parts. The first part constitutes of nritta and abhinaya whereas the second part has Tandava and Lasya.The dance form focuses a lot on of intricate leg movements. They are skillfully done and performed straight legged. The dancers also wear ghungroos or ankle bells which makes a characteristic noise every time they move their feet.
Kathak Music & Instruments
The words or bolin Kathak dance form like Ta, Thai, Tat are connected with Kaliya Daman (Krishna Dancing on the Hood of Kaliya Nag) In this music the words Hari Om Narain that are converted in the expansion of alaap. These words with gradual changes came to be sung as Nom, Tom, Na, Re etc. Tala, the rhythm is associated with Lord Shiva and Parvati. We can notice that through conjunction of this word tala, 'Ta' signifies 'Tandava' the dance of Shiva and 'La' signifies Lasya the dance of Parvati.
Kathak Dance Elements
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Ta Thei Thei Ta (Bol ) Dha Dhin Nak Tak (Phrase)
5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8
Aa Thei Thei Ta Ta Tin Nak Tak
Many musical instruments used in Kathak dance but main music provided by Tabla and Sitar for Kathak dance.
All the musical instruments used in Kathak dance are below.
Bansuri, Dilruba, Esraj, Ghungharu, Harmonium, Pakhawaj, Santur, Sarangi, Sarod, Sitar, Surmandal, Tabla, Tanpura.
Kathak Dance Elements
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Ta Thei Thei Ta (Bol ) Dha Dhin Nak Tak (Phrase)
5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8
Aa Thei Thei Ta Ta Tin Nak Tak
Many musical instruments used in Kathak dance but main music provided by Tabla and Sitar for Kathak dance.
All the musical instruments used in Kathak dance are below.
Bansuri, Dilruba, Esraj, Ghungharu, Harmonium, Pakhawaj, Santur, Sarangi, Sarod, Sitar, Surmandal, Tabla, Tanpura.
Kathak Costume
Traditional Kathak Female Costume
Lehnga-Choli is the traditional Kathak Female costume. Many times Odhni is also used with Lehnga-Choli. Lehnga is a long skirt of ankle-length. Generally, fitting of Lehnga keeps as loose as long Ghaghra so that it can flares out during fast spins and can produce special effect. Choli is a tight fitting blouse with the sleeves of elbow-length or shorter than that. Pajami (kind of trouser) wears beneath Lehnga to cover the legs. Lehnga-Choli is generally embroidered or highly decorated.
Mughal Female Costume for Kathak
Angarkha and Anarkali styled skirt is the Mughal female costume for Kathak. Angarkha wears on the upper body. Angarkha is similar to a Choodidaar Kameez with tight fitting above the waist. Anarkali styled skirt is a long skirt cut on the round to enhance the flare of skirt during spins in Kathak dance to produce special effects. Choodidaar Pajama is commonly wear beneath the skirt to cover the legs.
In Mughal female costume for Kathak, some other optional accessories are also worn. Bandi (small waistcoat) to enhance the bust-line, a small peaked cap and a belt of Zari adorned with semi-precious or precious stones are the accessories in Mughal female costume for Kathak.
Traditional Male Costumes for Kathak
Males wear Dhoti below waist and remains bare-chested as per traditional Kathak costume. Dhoti is generally tied in Bengali style. Dhoti is tied with many pleats with one end finished in a fan shape in Bengali style. Many times, in traditional Kathak costume, male dancers also wear men's Bandi (small waistcoat) rather than dance bare-chested.
Mughal Male Costume for Kathak
As per Mughal tradition for Kathak costumes, male dancers wear knee-lenght Kurta or Angarkha and Choodidaar Pajama. If female dancers wear small peaked cap then male dancers also wear the same kind of small peaked cap for uniformity.
Lehnga-Choli is the traditional Kathak Female costume. Many times Odhni is also used with Lehnga-Choli. Lehnga is a long skirt of ankle-length. Generally, fitting of Lehnga keeps as loose as long Ghaghra so that it can flares out during fast spins and can produce special effect. Choli is a tight fitting blouse with the sleeves of elbow-length or shorter than that. Pajami (kind of trouser) wears beneath Lehnga to cover the legs. Lehnga-Choli is generally embroidered or highly decorated.
Mughal Female Costume for Kathak
Angarkha and Anarkali styled skirt is the Mughal female costume for Kathak. Angarkha wears on the upper body. Angarkha is similar to a Choodidaar Kameez with tight fitting above the waist. Anarkali styled skirt is a long skirt cut on the round to enhance the flare of skirt during spins in Kathak dance to produce special effects. Choodidaar Pajama is commonly wear beneath the skirt to cover the legs.
In Mughal female costume for Kathak, some other optional accessories are also worn. Bandi (small waistcoat) to enhance the bust-line, a small peaked cap and a belt of Zari adorned with semi-precious or precious stones are the accessories in Mughal female costume for Kathak.
Traditional Male Costumes for Kathak
Males wear Dhoti below waist and remains bare-chested as per traditional Kathak costume. Dhoti is generally tied in Bengali style. Dhoti is tied with many pleats with one end finished in a fan shape in Bengali style. Many times, in traditional Kathak costume, male dancers also wear men's Bandi (small waistcoat) rather than dance bare-chested.
Mughal Male Costume for Kathak
As per Mughal tradition for Kathak costumes, male dancers wear knee-lenght Kurta or Angarkha and Choodidaar Pajama. If female dancers wear small peaked cap then male dancers also wear the same kind of small peaked cap for uniformity.