The complex footwork and abhinaya follows a certain rhythm of progression that consists of slow and fast movements. Certain compositions solely concentrate on elaborate footwork. However, abinaya dominates most compositions, allowing the dancer to express his or her emotions clearly.
That is Kathak for Pinkey Choudary, a Kathak dancer from New Delhi who came to the city on Monday to teach the nuances of the classical dance form at a workshop presented jointly by Nataraj Music and Dance Academy and Institute of Advanced Studies in Education (IASE), Andhra University, as part of the International Dance Day celebrations to be held on April 29.
“The origin of this Indian classical genre dates back to centuries where storytellers known as Kathakars used to narrate a katha (tale) through dance,” said the Kathak exponent, who is a disciple of Ashok Kumar Lal and Prakash Krishna Gangani.
Presentation
Demonstrating different mudras and abhinayas that form an integral part of Kathak, Pinkey gave a presentation of rasas such as shanti, karuna and krodh among other emotions. “Kathak opens up your mind and allows you to express your intense feelings where at times even words fail to convey precisely,” she said while illustrating nritta components of Kathak at the workshop.
Surprisingly, there was equal number of boys and girls who attended the session as the forum was open to those without a dance background as well. “I am passionate about dance. However, I am not a trained dancer when it comes to performing on stage. After watching the basic movements of Kathak, I would like to get trained in the domain as incorporating different footwork patterns and styles appeal to me,” says M. Suresh, a B.Ed student.
Another interesting feature that drew students to the platform is intense bhava and rasa involved in Kathak. “The best way to express your feelings is through dance. Among other classical forms, Kathak helps you express your thoughts better as there are many emotive elements embedded in this classical genre,” said Anusha, a student of IASE.
A Kathak dancer from New Delhi attends a workshop held as part of the International Dance Day celebrations
