Kathak is undoubtedly one of the most popular classical
dance style of northern India. The speciality of this dance is the spins and
the circular movements that create a rare spectacle, the highlight is the
rhythmic complexity and footwork that takes several years of devotion to
master. Kathak has been acclaimed, for centuries, as one of the most distinct
classical dance styles of India.
Kathak evolved from the Vedic period and with
several evidences in the form of literature, paintings and sculptures, it is
believed that Kathak originated from the story telling tradition. Incidentally,
the word ‘Kathak’ has evolved from the word kathakaar (storyteller), hence
various stories from the Hindu mythology were narrated for spiritual and social
uplift. “Katha kahe, so Kathak kahalave” meaning, it tells a story hence known
as Kathak.
The community of musicians and dancers were known
as Kathakar. Buddhist and Jain literature also mentions the tradition of
dancers in Vaishali, Magadh and Kosha. Besides the storytelling aspect, other
aspects like expressions, hand gestures and rhythmic footwork were added to
attract theatrical appeal, as dance moved on from villages to courtyards,
palaces and finally to modern-day auditoriums.
Kathak reached its pinnacle of glory as it
attracted royal patronage during the Mughal regime. King Akbar married a Rajput
princess and greatly encouraged arts and artistes. Performers from Persia and
Central Asia were invited to perform; hence there was an intermingling of
cultures and styles. While the Mughal dancers danced with the “salaami toda”
and their typical styles, the Hindu dancers were different in their depiction
and style of costume and “aharya abhinaya”. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and Nawab Asaf
Ud Daulah were great promoters and contributed their poetic renditions which
were interpreted in expressional dancing.
As Kathak developed from different regions of
north India, it maintained the regional differences and original poetic
renditions; thereby different schools of Kathak evolved which were known as
“Gharanas”. The Jaipur Gharana flourished with the Rajput patronage; one of the
founders was Bhanuji, his descendants were Hari Prasad and Hanuman Prasad. The
Gharana, further was promoted by Jailal and Sundar Prasad.
The Lucknow Gharana was founded by Thakur Prasad
who was the Guru of poet Wajid Ali Shah, his sons were Bindadin and Kalka
Prasad. The most popular Kathak maestro of contemporary society, Pt Birju
Maharaj, also hails from the same family.
Janikiprasad Gharana also known as Banaras Gharana
was founded by Sohanlal, Mohanlal, Naval Kishore and Kundanlal. Famous dancer
Nataraj Gopikrishna belongs to the Banaras Gharana.
The classical music, light and folk music have
been adapted into Kathak dance according to regional differences and flavours.
Bindadin Maharaj’s poetic renditions are used quite a lot, besides devotional
rendering of Tulsidas, Surdas or Meera Bhajans.
Like other classical dance styles, it takes
several years for the student to get into the level of Visharad or Alankar.
Continuous practice and complete devotion and involvement are necessary to
become a fine exponent. The performance for one hour or more begins with a
Vandana, prayer and invocation, followed with the execution of varied pure
dance numbers with rhythmic complexity, tatkaar and finally a Tarana or an
expressional Abhinaya number.
Some of the top Kathak dancers are Birju Maharaj,
Shovana Narayan, Uma Sharma, Pt Pratap Pawar, Pt Nandkrishore Kapote, Pt
Nagaraj, Paullomi Mukherjee and young dancers like Sunil Sunkara, Nidhaga
Karunad and Jena Lakshmi.
