Art of Kathak: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Application is an interdisciplinary course that introduces students to the fundamental principles, practices, history, and cultural significance of Kathak, one of the major classical dance traditions of South Asia. The course integrates embodied practice with theoretical inquiry, enabling students to understand dance not only as a performing art but also as a form of cultural knowledge, historical memory, and social expression.
Through practical training, students explore foundational Kathak vocabulary, including intricate footwork (tatkar), rhythmic patterns, hand gestures (mudras), facial expressions, body movements, and elements of abhinaya. Particular emphasis is placed on Teentaal, the sixteen-beat rhythmic cycle central to Kathak, allowing students to develop an understanding of the relationship between movement, rhythm, music, and performance.
The course also examines the theoretical foundations of Kathak through selected treatises, concepts, aesthetics, and historical frameworks. Students investigate the religious and cultural dimensions of the form, including its connections with Hindu and Muslim traditions and its syncretic development across South Asia. The formation of Kathak gharanas and the influence of historical patrons are explored alongside broader social, political, and cultural forces.
Through discussions, research projects, practical lessons, and performance, students critically examine how patronage, colonialism, cultural hegemony, and changing power structures have shaped Kathak’s identity, transmission, and evolution. The course ultimately encourages students to engage with Kathak as a living, evolving art form while developing both embodied skills and critical perspectives on its cultural heritage.
