Ask me what dance I like? and the answer would be the obvious KATHAK! My journey of learning started at the age of 9. An absolute introvert who wouldn't even talk to other kids in school. Boy, art really brings out the true self within.
Love my feet with the Ghungroo (brass bells) on. #parichayschoolofkathak #photography #iphone #7 #dance #love #gungroo #kathak #dance #life #teacher #learn #new #everyday #studio
Any dance looks graceful after a lot of practice, personally I love Ice Figure Skating, its just WOW! the co ordination, hands and feet while skating, just tops my list. Next is Ballroom Dancing/Foxtrot OMG! holding the partner and matching the steps, the leading and follow aspect of it, looks utmost graceful. Wish I had the opportunity to learn them as well.
Ice Figure Skating & Foxtrot PC: Google Images
Let me tell you something about Kathak, a lil background.
It's been passed down from the Vedic times of MAHABHARAT, 3000BCE (Indian mythology, also the origin of BhagvatGeeta) Lord Krishna used to dance with Radha (his girlfriend) and Gopikas (more girlfriends) in Brundaban (garden).
Radha and Lord Krishna in the middle, Gopikas around them. PC Alamy Stock Photo #lordkrishna #krishna #radha #madhuban #dance #kathak #gopikas #brundavan #play #girlfriends #love #gopikrishna #3000BCE #mahabharat #bhagvatgeeta #veda #vedic
Years later, it was danced with devotion to god in the temples, but after the Mughals invaded India (around 320BC), the kings demanded the dance to be presented for them instead of Hindu gods in temples. This brought a lot of change in the way of the dance itself, the devotion to god got substituted with praising of the king and kingdom itself.
Picture depicting Mughal King in his Open Darbar (Court) enjoying the dance. PC: BBC Arts, Google Images. #Mughals #darbar #court #assembly #entertainment #dancers #kathak #320BC #Kings #Nritya #salami
The Kathak we see today has come down to us from 4 Major Gharanas/Origins/Houses.
- Jaipur Gharana (Located in Rajasthan, North West India)
- Lucknow Gharana (Located in Uttar Pradesh, North India)
- Banaras Gharana (Located also in Uttar Pradesh, North India)
- Raigarh Gharana (Located in Chhattisgarh, North India)
Dancing Learning Teaching is Life PC: Londonlime, Google Images #parichayschoolofkathak #dance #love #gungroo #kathak #dance #life #teacher #learn #new #everyday
All four have different characteristics and are easily differentiated. The word Kathak originates from ancient sanskrit word - Katha - Story, Kathak - A person who tells the story. I hope this introduction to Kathak gives you a picture as to how old this dance form is, will post more with lot more details, in the meantime if you have any questions, feel free to ask. :)
Cheers till next time, enjoy dancing!