Introduction and Basics of Kathak

Students who would enroll in this long-term Kathak course will be exposed to beginner lessons in Kathak, and so, it is recommended only for those students who have not learned this dance form at all. The application of the dance techniques will be discussed in these online sessions where the enrolled students will be learning advanced theme and variation-based compositions. Students will also pick up the basic knowledge of where the art form originates and a detailed introduction to the fundamental mudras (wrist and hand movements) and footwork, an introduction to the Indian Classical Rhythmic system and will also learn, the importance of tabla and vocal music in Kathak. Learning Kathak offers an opportunity to perform on stage and at various other events. This makes you audacious from the early stages of life. Once built this quality helps in every stage in life not only for dancing but for making powerful presentations and facing large crowds. It definitely makes you more and more self-confident.

About the instructor:

Your instructor for this course is the famous Kathak dancer Saberi Misra. Saberi Misra is a kathak dancer based in London and was born in Kolkata into a family of traditional musicians and dancers of the Jaipur Gharana; she is the great-granddaughter of Pt Jailal Maharaj ji, the Granddaughter of Pt Ramgopal Misra and Smt Guru Susmita Misra and daughter of Pandit Rajkumar Misra, a renowned tabla player, and Smt Chandrima Misra an established and acclaimed Hindustani vocalist. Saberi has done her schooling in one of the most elite schools in London, St James Senior girls' school. Growing up amidst an atmosphere of dance and music Saberi was naturally pulled towards them from a very early age, like a moth to a flame. She started her dance training at the age of three under the able and distinguished guidance of her grandmother, Smt Guru Susmita Misra, a celebrated Kathak Guru. She gave her first stage performance at the age of four, in Kolkata and received a standing ovation. In London, her first performance came at the age of six at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, where she also received a standing ovation in the presence of the High Commissioner of India at the time. Besides dance, Saberi is also receiving laya taalim through learning tabla from her father and vocal training from her mother respectively. Saberi has also given solo performances as a tabla player and a singer. She has already established herself as a fine Kathak dancer.