Kathak- A North Indian Classical Dance
Posted on July 16, 2008 in Art & Culture by Gitanjali
Kathak is a very popular and well-practiced dance form which originated in the northern parts of India. ‘Kathak’ literally means ‘to tell a story’. It is thus evident that Kathak evolved from the ancient dance dramas that existed in India. However the theme of Kathak, from one that told religious stories transformed to one that told tales for entertainment came into being with the shift of its patronage from temples to the royal courts.
Kathak initially was associated with the institution called ‘tawaif’, one of female entertainers which required the highest order of intellect, training, etiquette and civility. Unfortunately, with the British rule, this was misunderstood merely as prostitution and was thus outlawed. But the decline of the British rule saw a new awakening in this traditional artform.
The Structure of Kathak
Kathak has an elaborate ‘mudra’ (hand gesture) grammar, footwork and body language. The choreograhic steps are often recited by bol, mnemotechnical syllables that describe the steps and rhythmic speed with which they will be performed. During a performance, the dancer interprets a precise sequence of fiures that begin witha a slow rhythm (vilambit laya), which is then doubled and finally it reaches a paroxismal speed (drut laya). A short danced composition is known as a tukra, a longer one as a toda. There are also compositions consisting solely of footwork.
The Costume
Traditional Hindu female costume usually consists of a sari, worn in either an everyday style, or tied up to provide for greater freedom of movement during dance. However, more commonly, the costume is a lehenga-choli combination, with an optional odhni or veil. Mughal costume for women consists of an angarkha. The legs are covered by the chudidaar or figure hugging trousers folded up giving the look of cloth bangles.
The Hindu tradition requires men to be bare-chested. Below the waist is the dhoti, usually tied in the Bengal style. The Mughal costume is kurta-churidar.
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