Kathak Dance

Kathak is the enigmatic, energetic, classical dance form of Northern India. It has traversed a long journey from the temples of India to the courts of the Mughal rulers, even the mehfils of the baijis, to films, yet always retaining its essence – flowing, lucid and graceful!!! The hallmark of Kathak is closeness to real life, be it in the positioning of the body or even its costumes.

Unnatural movement of the limbs and exaggerated movement of the hips are not deployed, resulting in an easy maneuverability of the body and the feet. While natural grace is maintained, the basic stance of the body lends itself to complexities in footwork and the ability of the feet and body to perform to breathtakingly increased tempos. Among all the traditional classical dance styles of India Kathak has a prominent place.

Kathak is the name of a community of musicians and dancers. Thus the dance which is being performed by these Kathaks hereditary is called Kathak Nritya. Literal meaning of Kathak is a story-teller. It is supposed that in ancient times these Kathaks used to be appointed in temples for narrating mythological stories, philosophy, words of wisdom, ethical values and living practices through music and dance.