Why in news?
Recently, Kathak Dance was organised at the 7th Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association-India Region, in Lucknow.
About Kathak Dance:
- The term Kathak is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Katha which means “story”, and Kathakar which means “the one who tells a story”, or “to do with stories”. It is one of the Indian classical dance.
- Origin- Its origin is traditionally attributed to the travelling bards of ancient northern India known as Kathakars or storytellers.
- The Vaishnavite cult which swept North India in the 15th century. and the resultant bhakti movement contributed to a whole new range of lyrics and musical forms.
- The Radha-Krishna theme proved immensely popular along with the works of Mirabai, Surdas, Nandadas and Krishnadas.
- Dance in Raslila was mainly an extension of the basic mime and gestures of the Kathakars or storytellers.
- After the arrival of Mughals, the transition from the temple courtyard to the palace durbar took place which necessitated changes in presentation.
- Style: There are two styles of performing Kathak-
- Nritta style- It has a structure of pure dance in which the performances moves from slow to a faster pace and then reaching a crescendo at the climax.
- It often has two kinds of compositions. The shorter ones are called tukra and the longer pieces are known as toda.
- Nritya style- It focuses on expressions as the main mode.
- This style uses pieces of expressions to convey a story. This performance style is also known as Bhaav Bataanaa. The modern-day Kathak uses more of Nritya style.
- The Nritya style is more associated with the Lucknow Gharana while Nritta is associated more so with the Banaras Gharana.
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