Origin of Kathak

Kathak means a storyteller who recounted mythological tales in the temples and danced them in a state of ecstasy. Having its origin in the sacred text known as the Natya Shastra , set to be divinely inspired through the sage Bharata, it has become one of the most comprehensive and expressive languages of movement in the world.With the advent of the Mogul rule in India (11th-18th centuries), it was transformed from a temple dance to court dance and became a brilliant entertainment. It was recognized in its innovative aspect by the Mogul emperors, especially the poet king Wajid Ali Shah who rescued it from oblivion, lent it dignity and founded the famed Lucknow Garana.

 

The Bhakti Movement during the medieval age brought new influences of devotion and love to Kathak. Dances to stories of Radha-Krishna and other Hindu Gods were incorporated into the dance form.  Bhakti style of music by saints and teachers of that era also infused into Kathak.

In the Mughal Era, Kathak experienced a metamorphism and was brought to the courts of the Mughal kings. The Persian influence added intricate footwork, spectacular spins and exquisite expressions that are the major characteristics of the dance form as we know it today. The music and musical instruments used to accompany the dancers were also influenced by the Persian music and  culture.

The post-independance era in India brought a lot of the respect and recognition to Kathak. The Indian government promoted and facilitated various classical dance forms and provided support and opportunities for many classical dancers to practice and propagate their art. Many reputable Kathak schools were established throughout India as well as among non-resident Indian communities throughout the world. Each Kathak dancer has lent their own style, identity and newer dimensions to this art form. They have experimented with music, themes, costumes, presentation styles and formats to make Kathak a truly international art....an artistic confluence of modernity and  tradition.

A brief introduction to Kathak

Native to northern India, Kathak is one of the six classical Indian dance forms.The word Kathak is derived from katha , meaning "a story", and hence the word Kathak means a storyteller who recounted mythological tales in the temples and danced them in a state of ecstasy. An ancient storytelling device, Kathak originated within the Hindu temples as a means of portraying the epic tales contained within the Mahabharata and Ramayana, Hindu scriptures. Poetry combined with rhythmic movement to aid in the worshipful storytelling.

However, the stories didn’t stay within the temple walls for long. Nomadic Kathaks, or wandering storytellers, soon began carrying the dances throughout the country. They added emotional 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.

The emergence of Raslila , mainly in the Braj region (Mathura in Western U.P.) was an important development. It combined in itself music, dance and the narrative. Dance in Raslila, however, was mainly an extension of the basic mime and gestures of the Kathakars or story-tellers which blended easily with the existing traditional dance.

The Vaishnavite cult which swept North India in the 15th century. and the resultant bhakti movement contributed to a whole new range of lyrics and musical forms. The Radha-Krishna theme proved immensely popular alongwith the works of Mirabai, Surdas, Nandadas and Krishnadas.