Indian Classical Dance of Uttar Pradesh


KATHAK

Kathak hails from the north Indian state of UTTAR PRADESH . The word KATHAK is originated from the kathas. The performers used to dance or enact through ' Story - Tellers or Kathas.

We can find the first elaboration of this dance in MAHABHARATA . During the eleventh century this dance gave the impact to the Rasalilas in Vaishnav Panth and Mughal Rule. In the nineteenth century Nawab Wajid Ali Shah from Lucknow extend this dance form.This form of dance is the only classical dance which has imbided the grace that is NAZAKAT , associated with the muslim culture. This dance form combines elements of NAZAKAT and ADAKARI that is acting in the performance.

Balance , Poise and control are the three pillars of this style. Hand gestures and the expression of the eyes also play an important role but the unique strength of the dance lies with the ankle bells or ghungroos of the dancer that provide the rhythm to the body. This dance form is accompanied by TABLA that is drum and SARANGI that is string instrument , SAMVADINI ( Harmonium ) and the north indian ragas that is musical notes like -

                               DHA DHIN DHIN DHA
                               
                               DHA DHIN DHIN DHA

                               DHA TIN TIN TA

                               TA  DHIN DHIN TA


AMAD  is a technique in which dancers move in rhythmic  circles.

KATHAK  has basically three gharanas ( school ) that is lucknow Gharana. Jaipur  Gharana and Banaras ( Janaki Gharana ).

The costume of kathak dancers are Lehenga - Choli or  Pragrakkha - Chudidar. The well known performers of this Hindu muslim culture in the classical kathak dance are the great Pt. BIRJU MAHARAJ , ROHINI BHATE , Pt.KUNDANLAL GANGANI , KUMUDINI LAKHIA , UMA SHARMA , SASWATI SEN , Pt. DURGALAL and SITA DEVI.

This is an elementary knowledge of Kathak . I hope you like my blogs.

Thanks for now 

Banani



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