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
Taal is a very important aspect of dance. Therefore, this year’s syllabus expects the student to be well-acquainted with different taals and laya as well. Also, in order to make the student performance-ready, the student will have to present the practical exam in a concert-like setting for twenty to thirty minutes from this exam onwards.
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Theory- This year’s syllabus includes a discussion of the importance of naatya (drama) according to Bharat-muni. The student will also be required to define the nine rasas. The four classes of naayak (dheeroddhata, dheerlalita, dheerodaatta, and dheerprashaanta), and the four kinds of naayika (abhisaarikaa, khanditaa, vipralabdhaa, and proshitapatikaa) will also be explained here. The student will have to be aware of the stories of matsya, varaah, kurma and narasinha from the Dashaavtar, and the gestures associated with each of these. The theoretical information provided in this course also includes the ten elements of taal, general information about the costumes and instruments used in Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, and Kathakali forms of dance, the importance of the guru-shishya tradition, the qualities of a student and his/her duties towards the teacher, the qualities of a dancer, the creation of rasa, definitions of sthaayi bhaav, bhaav, vibhaav, anubhaav, vyaabhichari bhaav, etc. The student is expected to be able to write the notation of aamad, bedam tihaai, farmaaishi paran and chakkardaar paran, tipalli and kavitta in Teentaal, Jhaptaal and Dhamaar, as also aamad, tihaai toda, chakkardaar paran and kavitta in Raas-taal (13 beats), Dhamaar (14 beats), Gajajhampa and Pancham Savari (15 beats). Definitions in this year’s syllabus include tipalli, kavitta, farmaaishi paran, bedam tihaai, anulom, pratilom, and nyaas-vinyaas, among others. As music is an important part of dance, the student will also need to know about forms of music such as ashtapadi, dhrupad, thumri, chaturanga, trivat, tarana, chaiti, kajri, and hori. Apart from this, the student will be required to read up on the contribution of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and the Maharaja of Raigad Chakradhar Singh, as also the life and work of Natraj Gopikrishna, Kathak exponent Sitaradevi, Pt. Durgalal and Guru Kundanlal Gangani. In the written examination, he/she will also be required to write an essay on raas and Kathak, and the relationship of thumri with Kathak dance.
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Practical- The student will be taught a Saraswati Vandana this year. He/she should also be well-prepared in Taals Teentaal and Jhaptaal. The student should be able to perform single, double, thaath, aamad, two todas, one paran, and kavitta in Taals Gajajhampa or Pancham Savari, Raas and Dhamaar. The student’s knowledge of gatnikaas and gatbhaav should also expand this year, in addition to what has been learnt in the previous examinations. Apart from this, the student will be taught thumri bhaav (with knowledge of words, raag, and taal), and one tarana or trivat. The student should also be able to recite all the bols while showing the taal with the hands. Apart from simple tatkaar, the student should also be able to perform ladi or chalan in tatkaar in Teentaal or Jhaptaal. The student will be required to introduce and show bhaav (emotions) on the compositions of any two saint poets, apart from those included in the previous examinations. The student should also know the shlok “aangikam bhuvanam yasya …’’ from the ‘Abhinay Darpan’.