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
This course builds on what has been learnt in the previous course. Thus, along with what has been studied earlier, in this course, the student will be taught some more variations in Teentaal, and will be introduced to two other taals.
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Theory- The student will be asked to write definitions of laya (single, double, quadruple), sam, maatraa, taali, khaali, gatnikaas, tatkaar, toda, gatpaltaa, and baant. He/she is also expected to be able to recognise the symbols in taal notation. The student will be introduced to Taals Dadra and Keherwa in this course. Also, the use of hand gestures according to the text ‘Abhinay Darpan’, such as pataaka, tripataaka, ardhapataaka, mayur, ardhachandra, etc. are part of the theory learnt here. Apart from this, the student will have to know the names of five contemporary Kathak gurus as well.
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Practical- In Teentaal, the student will be taught to perform one rangmanch pranaam, two thaath, one saadaa aamad, six todas, two chakkardaar todas, and two paran. Apart from this, he/she will be required to present tatkaar with tihaai in one-to-one, double, and quadruple laya, as also gatnikaas. Also, the student will be asked to perform the todas while showing the taal with the hands. The student should also be able to read the theka of Teentaal in single, double and quadruple tempos. Apart from this, he/she will be taught an abhinay-geet in Taals Keherwa or Dadra, where the words take centre-stage.