Kathak is a classical Indian dance form that originated from storytellers in North Indian temples who would narrate stories from epics like those of Lord Krishna through eye-catching dance. It later spread from temples to courts. Kathak is distinguished into three styles or gharanas based in Jaipur, Banaras, and Lucknow cities, each with their own unique expressions of stories and emotions through the dance. A key focus of Kathak is intricate footwork demonstrated through techniques like tatkar, paltas, bat, that, thoras, amad, kavittas and parans.

1. KATHAK
Indian Classical
Dance
BY :
URISHITA LAKHANPAL
STEP V-B

2. Dance is such a miraculous
thing that gives a feeling of
rejuvenation and revitalization
It works magic in removing
stress.
Every country has it’s own
treasure of astounding
traditional dance forms.

3. Some Ancient Classical Dances
Bharata Natyam
Kuchipudi
Odissi
Manipuri
Kathak

4. What is the meaning of Kathak?
The word Katha means story.
Kathak means a storyteller.
Some storytellers in the temples of North
India used to narrate stories from epics in
the form of eye-catching dance.
These stories include the adventurous and
miraculous life of Lord Krishna.

5. Hubs of Kathak
Later this dance form was brought out of the
temples and in to the courts of the rulers.
The prominent hubs of this dance are :
Jaipur
Luknow, and
Banaras.
Each of these cities have their unique way to
express the stories and emotions through this
dance form.

6. Gharanas of Kathak
Gharana in simple words means style.
Since these cities had their specialties, kathak
is distinguished in to three gharanas, called :
Jaipur
Banaras and
Luknow

7. Format of Kathak
Kathak mostly focuses on footwork and :
Tatkar
Paltas
Bat
That
Thoras
Amad
Kavittas
Parans