Kathak
"Katha kahe so Kathak". This subtle art of story telling hailing from North India is among the most famous Indian Classical Dance forms.
Ages
Children over 5 years | Adults
Days
Mon | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sun
Batches
Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced | Weekend Special
What is Kathak?
If you notice an Indian classical dancer doing many continuous twirls with impeccable balance, teamed with intricate tapping of the feet adorned with ghungroos, you can be quite sure you are watching kathak!
Learning Kathak At Sriguruji
The Learning Journey
Kathak, or for that matter any classical dance form, requires abundant patience. At Sriguruji, we specialise in the Jaipur Gharana of Kathak. The initial training involves exploring the footwork pattern known in kathak jargon as Toras and Tatkars. The art of wearing the ghungroo, balancing the body and getting the rhythms right in various speeds, forms the Beginner training of Kathak at the Academy.
As one enters Intermediate training, the complexity of foot work increases and so does the speed and the number of ghungroos! The aspect of ‘Abhinaya’ or expression is introduced at this stage.
The Advanced level encompasses the ability to chant out the bols of the dance in taal, and execute it with footwork to perfection. A seasoned kathaakar manages to bring a scene to life with their intricate footwork, graceful abhinaya, and, of course the ability perform a seemingly infinite number of chakris with effortless ease!
Certification
The Academy conducts yearly Internal Assessments followed by a Parent Teacher meeting to share the student’s learning curve. Sriguruji students undergo systematic practical and conceptual training and are encouraged to appear for Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Exams. These exams are optional. Every year, over 70 students training in Kathak, take these exams according to their progress in the art form.
Our Kathak Gurus
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Mukta Joshi
Mukta Joshi is a senior disciple of Guru Roshonkumari of Jaipur Gharana. She has choreographed and performed across India and internationally in Dance festivals organised by UNESCO. A celebrated teacher in Thane, she has been associated with Sriguruji Art Academy from its very inception.
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Kunjal Labhe
Kunjal Labhe is a Visharad in Jaipuri style from Gandharva Mahavidhyala and has undergone further training in Indian folk art from Mumbai University. She is a senior disciple of Nrityalankar Guru Mukta Joshi. She has been associated with Sriguruji Art Academy for over 10 years.