KATHAK
By
Anushka Kapur
Kathak is one
of the classical dance forms of India (originally from North India). Sitara Devi is known
as the Kathak Queen.
Kathak is a narrative
form, characterized by fast foot work (tatkar), spins (chakkar) and innovative use of bhav in abhinaya. It is today a form
that has been influenced at various times in the past by mythological narratives told by kathakas, temple dances, the bhakti
movement (both Vaishnovism and Shaivite) and Persian influence of the Mughal court from the 16th century onwards;
and these elements are readily discernable.
HISTORY
OF KATHAK
The story of Kathak
begins in ancient times with the performances of professional story-tellers called Kathakas who recited or sang stories from
epics and mythology with some elements of dance. The traditions of the Kathakas were hereditary, and dances passed from generation
to generation. There are literary references from the third and fourth centuries BC which refer to these Kathakas. The two
texts are in the archives of the Kameshwar library at Mithila.
