Kathak

By 'B BOSE'

Actual Image Size

: 1024 x 768 Pixels

Memory Size in KB

: 157 KB

Image Location

: Gurgaon, Haryana

City / Place Name

: Gurgaon

Album (Category) Name

: Dance (Music and Dance)

Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from northern India. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers. These bards, performing in village squares and temple courtyards, mostly specialized in recounting mythological and moral tales from the scriptures, and embellished their recitals with hand gestures and facial expressions. It was quintessential theatre, using instrumental and vocal music along with stylized gestures, to enliven the stories. Its form today contains traces of temple and ritual dances, and the influence of the bhakti movement. From the 16th century onwards it absorbed certain features of Persian dance and Central Asian dance which were imported by the royal courts of the Mughal era.

Kathak, Forms of Indian classical dances, Northern India, Kathaks, Storytellers, Mythological and moral tales, Scriptures, Bhakti movement, Royal courts of the Mughal era, Instrumental and vocal music, Persian dance, Central Asian dance, 16th century