Dances of India
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Geography of India Cuisine in India Cuisine in India Dances of India Classical Dances Indian Music Indian Music Indian history India Civilisation Modern History Recent History of India Indian Festivals Indian Festivals Indian Media Indian Media Indian Paintings Indian Paintings Indian Architecture Architecture and Sculpture Reaching India Reaching India Shopping in India _____________________________ | Kathaks were originally the storytellers who used dance to illustrate the 'Kathas' or stories. These dances were originally performed in the temples of North India, But as a result of Mughal rule in the 16th to 17th centuries, they went from the temple to the courts and have grown directly out of the ancient tradition of Indian dances. The Kathak dance has an elegance and sophistication that indicates the urban society in which it flourished. In this dance, the dancer’s feet take up the challenge of the drums. Light footwork and ankle bells are accompanied by the beats on the table (drum) and the dancer brings out the most intricate patterns in the perfect time and rhythm. To the dancers it is the most natural medium of self-expression. There are two schools or Gharana of the the Kathak dance, which are the Jaipur Gharana, that focus on the Layakari or rhythmic wizardry and the Lucknow Gharana that focus on the Bhava or moods and emotions. |
