Kathak and It's History

Kathak - North Indian Classical Dance Style



Kathak one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, is an age-old North Indian Classical dance form. Kathak is derived from the word "Katha" which means 'Story'. There is a popular saying - "Katha kahe so kathak kehlave" meaning 'the one who tells a story is known as Kathak'.

These 'Kathaks' performing in village squares and temple courtyards, mostly specialized in recounting mythological and moral tales from the scriptures, and embellished their recitals with some elements of dance like hand gestures and facial expressions.

Later after the Mughal invasion in India, the 'Kathaks' also absorbed certain features of Persian dance and Central Asian Dance in their presentations which were imported by the royal courts of the Mughal era.

Kathak is characterized by exciting and entertaining quality of intricate and rhythmic footwork, spectacular and rapid spins. The skillful use of directions, the eye and the facial expressions altogether add a different dimension to the pace of the dance presentation and are the dominant and most endearing features of this dance style.