KATHAK

Kathak is one of the eight major classical Indian dance forms and is the principal classical dance of North India. The word kathak means "to tell a story" and is derived from the dance dramas of ancient India. During the Mughal era, there was a change in emphasis from that of telling religious stories to one of entertainment. Today, the dance is an abstract exploration of rhythm and movement, involving complex footwork and pirouettes executed at lightening speed, matched by accompanying percussion instruments such as the table and pakhawaj. Lucknow, Jaipur and Banaras are recognized as the three schools of Kathak where the interpretative and rhythmic aspects of the dance have been refined to a very high standard.

TEACHER

Kathak will be taught by an accomplished teacher deputed by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations. Kathak classes are conducted by Mr. Pt. Sontosh Kumar Chatterjee, disciple of Guru Pt. Ram Narayan Mishra and Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj, is a well known exponent of Lucknow Gharana style of Kathak dance. He has done his Nritya Prabhakar (BA) in Kathak dance from Allahabad University. He has been teaching Kathak dance for the last 35 years. He has to his credit many performances in India and abroad.