What is it?

 

Kathak, derived from "katha", or story, is one of the eight major classical dances of India. Famous as a vigorous and highly-demanding form of dance, Kathak artists wear ghungharoos, or bells, on their ankles, sometimes up to 200 per leg. Musical accompaniment is usually provided by a tabla player.

 

Kathak has two main schools, or gharanas. The Jaipur branch, heavily influenced by the Mughal invasion of India, relies on speed, lightning-fast spins, or chakkars, and rigorous footwork. The Lucknow school considers facial expression and subtle movements to be of the highest import. Today, many artists have "fused" the two types in order to keep the dance form current and popular with new audiences.

 

NDS has created a curriculum that trains dancers on several levels by incorporating history, theory, basic positions, footwork, and hand movements. Students are taught slowly, with great attentian to correctness and quality, rather than quantity. Classes may also have live tabla accompaniment.