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 aim of this set of courses is to equip the student of dance to become an independent and original performer. Thus, it is essential that the student is able to choreograph small pieces creatively at this stage. In addition to this, it is important that the student knows about the history of dance as well. Also, along with Kathak, the student should be aware of the intricacies of the other forms of classical dance.
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Theory- The student should have elaborate knowledge about the nine rasas, the important texts of the middle ages, naayika bhed, and the importance of laya and taal in Kathak dance. The other forms of classical dance that are included in this year’s syllabus are Odissi, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniattam. The student should also be able to make a comparative study of the gestures mentioned in the Natyashastra and Abhinay Darpan. Apart from this, the student should be able to write the notation of aamad, tihaai, toda, paran, etc in Taals Chhoti Savari (15 beats), Shikhar (17 beats), Matta-taal (18 beats) and Raas-taal (13 beats). The student is also expected to know the role of kavitta and thumri in Kathak dance. Since dance has an intricate relationship with the ancient epics, it is also essential to know about the allusions to dance in the stories in early literature, as also brief information about the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagwat Puran, and Geetgovind. In this context, the student is also expected to know the gestures of characters like Brahma, Vishnu, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Indra, Agni, Vayu, and the Dashaavtars according to the ‘Abhinay Darpan’. He/she will also be asked to write a brief biography of Guru Sundarprasad, Guru Mohanrao Kalyanpurkar, Maharaja Krishnakumar, and Pt. Birju Maharaj. Apart from this, the student will be required to write notes on topics such as the popularity of the Indian dance forms in foreign countries, the technological advancements in dance today (such as music arrangement, lights, slides, etc), and the relationship of dance with vocal music, instrumental music, art, sculpture, and literature.
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Practical- The student will be required to perform in a concert for twenty-thirty minutes in this exam. He/she will be taught a Vishnu Vandana, and will be required to be well-versed with Taals Chhoti Savari, Shikhar, Matta-taal, and Raas-taal. Also, the student should be able to dance on the simple theka of Teentaal, Jhaptaal and Rupak. He/she should be able to choreograph a dance piece based on small stories. Apart from this, the student is expected to elaborate on baant, ladi, chalan, etc in tatkaar. Also, he/she will be required to perform a thumri while sitting, with variations in gatbhaav and sanchaari bhaav. The student should also be able to say the compositions of all the taals. Also, he/she should be able to perform any two forms from amongst trivat, tarana, chaturanga, ashtapadi, stuti, etc. The facial expressions of the dancer should be so effective that he/she should be able to express the nine rasas through the face alone. It is also important that the student be able to perform on any composition related to the Dashaavtar. Apart from this, the student should be able to sing or play a nagma (lehraa) in Teentaal. Also, the student is expected to display spontaneity by performing on any episode presented by the examiner in the practical.