Adorned with interactive theatrics and exuberance of the Kathak performers, Kathak is the most popular classical dance form of India and the only one prevalent in north India. Incorporating the word ‘Katha’ (story) in its name, it emerged as an art form for narrating stories from great mythologies. Kathak performers were mostly found in the north Indian courts.
Kathak bloomed during the Bhakti movement by the nomadic ‘kathakars’. The dance mainly narrated the stories of Hindu Lord Krishna. This type of dance is known as ‘nritya’ or expressive dance. On the other hand, pure dance is known as ‘nritta’. Feet synchronizing with the rhythm of tabla, splendid hand movements, interactive expressions along with sarangi and manjira running the cycle of the tunes of ‘Dhrupad’ music are put together in performing a splendid Kathak performance. Hindu culture has maintained the practice of dance as a form of worship and thus the performance is started with an invocation or ‘vandana’ followed by ‘nritta’ or ‘nritya’.
The costumes vary with the gharana but most commonly the female dancers drape a saree around waist, wear choli to cover the chest and add to the magnificence with an odhni. The male dancers wear a dhoti and often leave the upper body bare. Historical traces of Kathak date its origin by around 400 BCE, likely in Banaras. With the augmentation of the popularity of Kathak, it migrated to other cities like Jaipur and Lucknow. This resulted in formation of different ‘Gharanas’ (etiquettes). Although they had a common origin, each gharana maintained the idiosyncrasy. The Lucknow and Banaras gharana focuses on the narrative expressions and hand movements while the Jaipur gharana on footwork.
The evolution of Kathak during the Mughal Era added the element of ‘eroticism’ to the form. In the colonial times of British Raj, it fell under the criticism of ‘anti-dance movement’ along with the other dance forms. Serious accusations like equating dance with prostitution surfaced. Nevertheless, after independence, Kathak reemerged vivaciously in Indian culture. It is a combined skill of expertise and excellence flowing through the current of culture and demands a bow in its respect. Dance forms, as Kathak, are an eminent part of our cultural heritage. Their preservation, in the times when such cultures are on the verge of getting buried in the pages of history, is our duty.
Therefore, here we present you some contemporary Kathak Performers, sprinkling the beauty of this classical dance form in all of its authenticity and reverence!
Vande Matarm – Eshani Sathe
Eshani Sathe’s Kathak Performances opens a window to how her heart and soul are connected to this art form so intricately. The myriad of Kathak performances by her creates a serene and peaceful atmosphere for the viewers. Similarly, in this performance, she delivers respect to India on its 75th Independence through Kathak. Eshani performs a humble and soulful Kathak dance, which captures India’s diversity and love. Her dance easily reaches out to the viewers’ hearts.
Garaj Garaj – Shivangi Dake
Shivangi’s YouTube channel featuring a multitude of her kathak performances will leave you stunned. She has imbued Kathak in every festival celebration of India, be it Holi or Diwali, and in other aspects of our daily life. The ‘Garaj Garaj’ Kathak performance is one example of this. Shivangi summons the tranquility and vigour of rainfall through Kathak. Self-choreographed by Shivangi, adorned in a blue sari, she leaves the viewers mesmerised by her rain like movements. Through this, she also sprinkles the relationship she has with the Kathak art form, as she uses it to convey an aspect of nature.
Draupadi Sankalp – Damini Bisht
The episode of Draupadi’s sexual assault by the brothers of Kauravas in the male dominated sabha is one of the most prominent scenes from Mahabharata. Damini, with her eloquence, dexterity and great rhythm, narrates the entire episode with the art of Kathak. She doesn’t play one or two roles, but simultaneously, multiple roles, and in that midst, fluently narrates the whole scene without uttering one word. That is on Damini and her deep understanding of the with this reverent classical dance form of India.
Shesh Phana – Shruthi Gupta
Through Shruthi, a Kathak performer and choreographer, we experience yet another proficient Kathak performance, this time narrating an excerpt from Ramayana. Shruthi brings to life the complex characters, Lord Ram, Ravana and Ravana’s wife Mandodri. Excelling in grit and expressions, she paints angst, agony, love and revenge through her performance.
Shiva … Rudrashtakam Composition – Mohit Shridhar
Mohit Shridhar, an expressive and exquisite Kathak performer, delivers a passionate kathak performance on Rudrashtakam composition. Rudrashtakam composition is a devotional Sanskrit composition on Lord Shiva. Mohit’s powerful yet elegant Kathak movements light up the stage! His strong presence is felt as we watch Mohit devotedly lose himself in reveries of Kathak.
