Kathak presentation by Simonne and Charvy

All Indian classical dances are a combination of three categories of Nritta, Nritya and Natya. Our presentation touches upon all three elements for our Kathak performance.

Classical dance begins with Guruvandana, an invocation to the Gurus, followed by the technical dance. Pure dance or Nritta sequences are non emotive units of dance which showcase the dancers knowledge and skill over different Taals (beat patterns) and Layas ( tempo). There is a preset sequence of  dance pieces which begin at a slow pace and close with high speed spins  coming to a sparkling sudden stop or the Sum. Here the students perform to Tritaal - the 16 beat taal.

The emotive classical dance pieces fall in different categories Kavitt – dance on a short poetry, Thumri – classical dance describing a story or episode. Nritya and Natya, the mime portions portray brief episodes from Krishnas life through lyrical thumris and kavitts. These music pieces Kahe chhed and mohe panghat pe are eternal kathak classics  based on Hindustani classical music composed by Kathak living legend Pandit Birju Maharaj  and composer Naushad Ali 

Tarana is a melodious play of classical music syllables matched to the footwork and movements of dance and ends with the characteristic fast spins into the dramatic end. Krishna bhajan and Tarana is based on Raag Kedar of Hindustani classical music. 

Finale piece is Madhurashtkam is a famous Sanskrit bhajan composed by Sripad Vallabhacharya which is soaked in the devotion the Lord Krishna.