Comprehending the art of Kathak dance

Bengal Foundation organised the second episode of its monthly series of programmes titled “Understanding Classical Dance”, curated and presented by celebrated artiste, choreographer and educator, Sharmila Banerjee.

The session, at the Daily Star-Bengal Arts Precinct on November 18, featured audiovisual content, demonstrations and Kathak dance performances. Kazi Rakibul Haque Ripon, a student of Pandit Birju Maharaj, assisted Sharmila Banerjee.

Accomplished Kathak dancers -Tahnina Islam, Aupee Karim, Snata Shahreen, Monira Parveen Happy and Mehraj Haque Tushar performed in the evening. Syed Meher Hossain accompanied on the tabla.

The event set off with Guru Vandana and Ganesh Vandana. The history and background of Kathak dance, its evolution were discussed highlighting three phases -- Mandir or Temple phase, Darbar or Court phase and Stage or present phase.

Monira Parveen Happy danced to a Meera Bhajan. Aupee Karim beautifully presented panghat, while Snata Shahreen and Mehraj Haque Tushar performed a duet.

At the end Snata, Tahnina, Happy and Tushar presented a jugalbandi style with tabla sawal jawab by Syed Meher Hossain.

Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dance. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern, known as Kathakars or storytellers. From the 16th century onwards it absorbed certain features of Persian dance and central Asian dance which were imported by the royal courts of the Mughal era.