Kathak comes from the Sanskrit word ‘ Katha ’, which means story or conversation. The Kathak dancers were kathakars or storytellers who traveled in northern India. They moved from place to place telling stories about Gods, Goddesses, epics, mythologies, and more. Kathak is a classical dance of Uttar Pradesh. It traces its origins to the Ras Leela of Brajbhuoomi. The word ‘ Kathak ’ comes from the Sanskrit word “ Kathakar ” which means a storyteller. Where a woman storyteller was referred to as “Kathika” & male storyteller was known as “ Kathakar ”. Kathak is a dance genre that originated from the travelling bards of North India and evolved during the Bhakti movement and the Mughal era. Learn about its history, evolution, costumes, and exponents of different gharanas (schools) of Kathak . Discover the enchanting world of Kathak dance for beginners. Learn basic movements and techniques in our guide to traditional dance.
