Kathak is one amongst the seven classical dance forms in India. Kathak, the word itself means storytelling; it is the dance form in which the artist tells the story through song, music along with movements of hands and facial expressions. This dance form is originally created to tell mythological stories in temples, in the Northern states of India. During the 18th century kathak was practiced in the courts of Mugal emperors and rulers. It was during this time that Kathak imbibed Persian and Arabian cultures and became more sophisticated and complex. It is the only dance form which has incorporated the values and traditions of both Hindu and Muslim cultures and also uses Urdu poetry and verses in the performance.
Kathak dance mainly includes many intricate foot-works when compared to other classical dance forms. The dance also has very intricate facial expressions and gestures that can only be achieved only under strict training and practice. Since this classical dance form is complex a proper training is very important for any Kathak aspirants. There are various dance institutions that offer Kathak classes in Pune. Joining to any good kathak classes in Pune will help in learning this traditional dance form with perfection.
Gandharva Mahavidyalaya is one of the renowned institutes which offer excellent Kathak classes in Pune. Here highly experienced and expert teachers handle the classes. The Kathak classes in Pune are at par with international standards and classes are taken as different batches with only 10 students per batch. Here anyone who is above 7 years of age is eligible to join the Kathak classes.
As this dance form is complicated and complex, training should be started at an early age. Here at Gandhava Mahavidyalaya, students are given adequate training that prepares them to perform at any occasion with grace and confidence. The institute also organises concerts and programs in which students are given a chance to perform enabling them to get ready for their future ahead.
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Course Objectives
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Course Contents
The student’s theoretical grounding is expected to be very strong by the time he/she reaches this level. In order to assess this, there will be two written examinations at the end of this course.
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Theory- In the first written examination, the student will be asked to write about the allusions to dance in Vedic and ancient literature. It will also require the student to study certain specific references to Kathak dance in the Natyashastra. Also, as a step towards becoming a creative performer, the student will be asked to discuss and critique the dance performance of any Kathak exponent. He/she will also be asked to talk about drishti bhed from the point of view of the Natyashastra and Abhinay Darpan. Also, in order to contextualise the student’s knowledge in the contemporary time, the exam will ask questions about the effect of modern techniques on Kathak dance presentations. Also, the student will be required to have in-depth knowledge of jaati with reference to Teentaal, and should be able to write the notation of the theka of Jhaptaal in ½, ¾, 1¼, 1½ laya. Further, in the second paper, the student will be tested on the aesthetic theories of Kathak dance, the use of different kinds of instruments in dance, the role, necessity and importance of accompanying artists in Kathak dance, and the role of musical theory in the presentation of dance. Apart from this, the student will be asked to talk about folk forms such as nautanki, tamasha and nritya-naatika (dance dramas). Also, he/she will have to be able to write the notation of double, quadruple laya, as also tihaai, todas, paran, etc in Raas-taal (13 beats), Lakshmi-taal (18 beats), Vasant Taal (9 beats), and Ashtamangal (22 beats).
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Practical- The concert performance in this exam will be thirty minutes long. The student will be required to perform a Krishna Vandana, Shiv Vandana, or Ganesh Vandana set to taal in the practical exam. Also, the student will be required to create new parans spontaneously. Apart from this, he/she will be asked to present different sanchari bhaav on one line, a composition based on one rasa, one ashtapadi and one tarana, and tihaais based on different jaatis which are set to taals other than Teentaal. Also, the student will be taught to present gatbhaav on a modern story, or give it the form of a dance drama. Apart from this, he/she will be asked to elaborate on chalan, ladi and laykaari in tatkaar. By this level, the student’s recitation of taals and bols should be flawless. He/she should also be able to compose tihaais on a mukhda given by the examiner. Also, the student will have to display meanings of poetry and expression of feelings in a composition through abhinay.