Unit 13 and 14 Kathak Stylistic Features Research

 Origins of Kathak and Kathakars

The name Kathak originated from Sanskrit word Katha which means story and Kathaka meaning storyteller. Kathak originates from Northern India and is considered to be the south Asian equivalent of european classical ballet. It traces its origins to the nomadic poets of ancient northern India that were known as Kathakers (storytellers) who recited or sang stories from epics and mythology with some elements of dance. A rural Krishna devotee names Ishwari, from a village in southeast Utter Pradesh, aimed to develop Kathak dance as a form of loving devotion to Krishna. 

Where was Kathak performed?

Kathak was originally performed in temples and palaces as they aimed to portray the tales from Hindu scriptues Mahabharata and Ramayana. The stories however, didnt stay inside the temple walls for long as Nomadic Kathakars (or wandering storytellers) soon began carrying the dances throughout India. Kathak transitioned from its secluded devotional origins to a more accesible, multi-discipline entertainment tradition. Kathak became part of court culture that was performed under the patronage of Indias Persian kings and Muslim Moghuls. This sealed Kathak's transition from colloquial entertainment to a classical art form. 

Comparison to Western Classical Ballet

The basic stylistic features of Kathak include: An upright posture, sudden, sharp direct attacking dynamic, sustained, flexible fluidity, expressive dramatic intensity, importance of the eyes ( direction of focus), rythmic dexterity (emphasised by ankle bells), close relationship between dance and time cycles of the music and percussion. Like in ballet, the positions are upright and have specific codified steps, it is also neccesary to have sustainable, flexible fluidity. Kathak is thought to be the South Asian equivalent of ballet. Whilst Kathak and Ballet do have some similarities, their differences also include: expressive dramatic intensity, importance of the eyes and musical dexterity. Ballet dancers are meant to be seen as angelic and are thought to "defy gravity", whilst whereas Kathak is quite grounded and central. The arm and leg movements in ballet are softened, whilst in Kathak, they are at certain angles that are usually triangles or diamonds. 

Stylistic features of Kathak Dance

Mudras

Mudras are symbolic hand gestures that are used in Indian dance. They are non-verbal mode of communication that consists of hand gestures and finger postures. They are symbolic patterns that take the place of spoken words, they are just as effective as using spoken words too. Each Mudra has a meaning in Kathak dance and can be performed with one or both hands. 

Bols

Bols are rythmic spoken words that acts as counts in the dance. The counts are in 12 instead of the ususal 4/4 or 8 this means that in our dance specifically, it is much slower. The counts are: 

1- Ta

2-Ta Ka

3- Ta Ka De

4- Ta Ka De Mi

Tatkars 

Tatkars are conjoined with Bols as they are percussive footwork that are usually accompanied with bells called Ghunguru's that are attatched to the dancers ankles. 

Ghunguru

A ghunguru is a percussive instrument that is attatched to the dancers ankles or feet, they are usually paired with percussive footwork.

Chakars 

Chakkars are spins that are generally executed on the dancers heel, in comparison to on the ball of the foot when a ballet dancer is dancing. Chakkars are grounded and very quick.