Kathak

In Northern India, during Medieval times, sacred legends and epic tales were transmitted and taught by Brahman storytellers: Kathakas. They formed a hereditary caste and moved around from temple to temple, accompanying their narration with music and illustrating it through dance, which would develop, become richer and go on to create the traditional style: Kathak. From the 13th century onwards, the art of the Kathakas moved on from temples to palaces. Considered as a court dance, it reached an incredible level of virtuosity.

Kathak techniques require highly-developed choreographic language expressed through “mudras” – coded hand gestures –, movements of the feet, facial expressions and body positions.

The musical accompaniment includes percussions, song and one or several melodic instruments (sitar, santur, harmonium). The main qualities of Kathak are feet rotating, turning and creating rhythms, pounding the ground, improvisations of pure rhythmic mastery dialoguing with percussions.

Birju Maharaj, now retired from the stage, is a great Guru but also an internationally renowned performer. His knowledge goes beyond dance as he is also a singer and plays a wide range of instruments.

Source : Maison de la Danse

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