Kathak (Uttar Pradesh)

From Temple Storytelling to Mughal Court Sophistication

If Bharatanatyam is geometry and devotion carved in stone, Kathak is rhythm and narrative flowing like poetry. It is the only classical dance form that visibly carries Hindu temple roots and Persian court aesthetics together.

Origin – The Storytellers

The word Kathak comes from the Sanskrit word: Katha → Story

Kathak was originally performed by Kathakars — travelling storytellers who narrated → Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranic legends through gesture expression and rhythmic movement

It began in temple courtyards of North India.

Bhakti Movement Influence (15th–16th Century)

Kathak evolved into a distinct dance form during the rise of Madhura Bhakti (devotional love for Krishna). Bhakti saints such as Meerabai and Surdas used devotional poetry to express intense love for Krishna.

Kathak dancers embodied → Radha’s longing, Krishna’s playfulness, Divine romance. Thus, Bhakti emotionalised Kathak.

Geographical Spread

Originated in Varanasi. Then spread to → Lucknow, Jaipur, Raigarh (Chhattisgarh)
Each region developed its own style — called Gharana.

Persian & Mughal Influence

Under Islamic rule:

• Kathak shifted from temples to Mughal courts
• Sufi whirling influenced spinning techniques
• Transparent veils were introduced
• Urdu poetry entered performance

It absorbed → Ghazal, Thumri, Courtly refinement

Thus, Kathak became a synthesis of:

Temple Tradition	Mughal Court Aesthetics
Bhakti devotion	Courtly elegance
Krishna themes	Romantic & poetic themes
Spiritual storytelling	Rhythmic virtuosity

Transformation in Mughal Era

In the 19th century, Kathak flourished in princely courts → Lucknow, Jaipur, Raigarh

Three streams emerged:

1. Mandir Pravaaha – Temple tradition
2. Darbaar Pravaaha – Court tradition
3. Rangmancha Pravaaha – Modern stage tradition

Kathak adapted without losing its identity.

British Impact

Like other classical forms, Kathak was criticised during British rule due to Victorian morality. Temple and court dances were labelled immoral. But Kathak survived through revival efforts.

Revival of Kathak

Key revivalists → Bindadin Maharaj, Shambhu Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Kalka Prasad
They restored Kathak’s classical dignity and global recognition.

Tawaifs – Cultural Custodians

• Tawaifs were → Courtesan singers, Dancers, Poets
• They excelled in → Mujra, Thumri, Ghazal, Urdu poetry
• Some prominent figures → Anarkali, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Moran Sarkar (wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh)
• Though colonial narratives reduced them to “nautch girls,” they were highly cultured artists.

Main Features of Kathak

Kathak is pre-eminently a dance of rhythm-play.

Core Elements:

• Tatkar → Intricate footwork
• Ghungroos → Bells tied to ankles
• Chakkar → Fast spins on toes
• Bol → Rhythmic syllables

The dancer often → Recites bols; Interacts with audience; Explains rhythm; Improvises

Unlike heavily decorated stages, Kathak performances usually have a minimal background. Traditionally Image of Nataraja or Ganesha is placed on left side.

Musical Base

Traditional Kathak music includes → Thumri, Ghazal, Bhajan, Tabla and harmonium accompaniment
Kathak uniquely includes Persian elements, making it the only classical dance form deeply influenced by Indo-Islamic aesthetics.

Gharanas of Kathak

1️⃣ Banaras Gharana

• Founder: Janaki Prasad
• Features → Spiritual depth | Energetic performance | Strong rhythm orientation

2️⃣ Lucknow Gharana

• Founder: Ishwari Prasad; Patron: Wajid Ali Shah
• Features → Grace | Abhinaya | Emotional expressiveness | Excellence in Thumri & Ghazal
• A prominent exponent → Birju Maharaj

3️⃣ Jaipur Gharana

• Founder: Bhanuji
• Features → Powerful leaps | Intricate spins | Rajput martial flavour | Strong Nritta emphasis

4️⃣ Raigarh Gharana

• Founder: Raja Chakradhar Singh
• Features → Fusion influences | Emphasis on storytelling | Delicate hand gestures | Subtle facial expression
• Developed in Chhattisgarh.

Kathak and Ras Leela – Devotion in Motion

To understand Kathak deeply, we must place it beside Ras Leela. Both emerge from the same spiritual soil — Krishna Bhakti.

🌼 What is Ras Leela?

Ras Leela is a traditional dance-drama depicting:

• Krishna’s playful interactions with the Gopis
• His divine love for Radha
• Episodes from the Bhagavata Purana
• Narratives connected to the Mahabharata

It is a dramatic form involving → Acting, Singing, Dialogue, Group choreography. It is devotional theatre.

🌸 Connection Between Kathak and Ras Leela

Kathak also narrates Krishna stories. However:

Ras Leela	Kathak
Group dance-drama	Solo/duet narrative dance
Dramatic enactment	Rhythmic interpretation
Dialogue + acting	Expressive abhinaya + footwork
Temple-based	Temple → Court → Stage

Thus, Kathak internalised Ras Leela’s devotional content but expressed it through → Tatkar (footwork), Chakkar (spins), Facial expression, Subtle storytelling. Their content is interconnected; their style differs.

Repertoire of Kathak

Like other classical dances, Kathak also has:

• Nritta (pure dance)
• Nritya (expressive dance)
• Natya (dramatic interpretation)

Let us understand how these manifest in Kathak.

1️⃣ Nritta (Pure Dance)

• Fast, rhythmic; Focus on pattern and symmetry
• Begins with Thaat (graceful posture); Followed by sequences of bol (mnemonic syllables)
• Emphasis on speed and energy

Kathak’s Nritta is highly mathematical and rhythm-centric.

2️⃣ Nritya (Expressive Dance)

• Communicates emotions; Uses subtle facial gestures
• Focus on Bhakti themes; Interprets poetry and lyrics

Here, Krishna becomes central.

3️⃣ Natya (Dramatic Interpretation)

• Character portrayal | Specific body language | Role enactment

Kathak often performs mono-acting through expression alone.

Manch Pradarshan – Sequence of Performance

“Manch Pradarshan” refers to the structured presentation of Kathak.

Let us go step by step.

1️⃣ Vandana / Stuti

• Invocation | Salutation to guru and musicians

2️⃣ Uthan

• Opening flourish | Grabs audience attention

3️⃣ Thaat

• Graceful pose | Controlled, stylised stance

4️⃣ Aamad

• Entry piece | Based on rhythmic syllables

5️⃣ Tode

• Pure dance | Nritta element | Complex rhythmic patterns

6️⃣ Kavit

• Storytelling element | Especially prominent in Jaipur Gharana

7️⃣ Gat Nikas / Gat Bhava

• Gat Nikas → stylised walk or movement
• Gat Bhava → emotional interpretation

Often resembles mono-play.

8️⃣ Thumri / Bhajan / Pad

• Devotional or romantic composition
• Bhakti-oriented

9️⃣ Tatkar / Ladi

• Concluding footwork display | Demonstration of rhythmic mastery

Kathak ends with brilliance in rhythm.

Costume in Kathak

Female Costume:

• Lehenga or Ghagra Choli | Fitted blouse | Traditional jewellery | Odhni (scarf) | Ghungroos

Male Costume:

• Kurta | Churidar | Angarkha | Pagri (turban) | Ghungroos

Costume reflects Mughal and North Indian aesthetics.

Music in Kathak

• Kathak is performed to Hindustani classical music.
• Instruments include → Tabla, Pakhawaj, Sarangi, Sitar, Harmonium, Manjira
• Musical genres → Thumri, Ghazal, Dhrupad
• The dancer may even recite bols live — unique to Kathak.

Famous Exponents of Kathak

Prominent figures include:

• Birju Maharaj | Shambhu Maharaj | Sitara Devi
• Kumudini Lakhia | Durga Lal | Rohini Bhate | Uma Sharma | Aditi Mangaldas | Rajendra Gangani

These artists preserved, modernised, and globalised Kathak.