Learn the Fundamentals of Kathak

This course will create a strong foundation for one of the most graceful dance forms - Kathak. This dance form rests on the pillars of Taal, Lay, Footwork, Graceful body movements, and acting skills. Slowly and gradually each and everything will be taught to the student. In the beginner’s course, the students will get to master some basic concepts such as -

• Thaat - the basic standing posture in Kathak in different graceful ways before starting the performance. 
• Tatkaar - the basic footwork of Kathak on the bol - Ta Thai Thai Tat, Aa Thai Thai Tat.
• Tukda - small portions when movements, footwork, and silhouettes are woven together. Tukda necessarily means a piece of taan
• Tihai - when a footwork is repeated three times.
• Ladi - is a long footwork pattern that is beaded like a garland with an elaborate rhythmic pattern.

At the beginner’s level, the students will learn the Teentaal (16 beats time cycle) properly. This will prepare them to attempt more complicated and intricate Taals in the next levels.  

The students of this course will follow the Lucknow Gharana. Kathak has mainly three Gharanas - Lucknow, Benaras, and Jaipur. Lucknow Gharana is mostly known for its grace and abhinay. It flourished during the tenure of Wajid Ali Shah. 

About the Teacher

Sangita Chatterjee, the disciple of Guru Smt. Vaswati Misra, is a young, dynamic, and eminent exponent of Kathak, from Lucknow Gharana. Sangita has emerged as a soloist of par excellence and has made her niche as a thinking dancer whose approach toward dance is beyond mere performative presentation. 

She has orchestrated several dance programs that include a solo dance theatre production - "Yagyaseni" on Draupadi's life, a multi-dance style presentation - "Hridoy Majhe Bangla", - in the presence of the then President of India, Late Shri Pranav Mukherjee, Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, and other political dignitaries. 

She has choreographed “Ramayan” in collaboration with Japanese dancers which she presented in Tokyo National Theatre, Japan. She has also traveled extensively to different countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America for her performances.

 During the lockdown, she has also created two short films "Quest - A Lockdown Diary of a Dancer" and 'Mirage- A Lust for Life" which were also featured in INMOTION Dance Film Festival Chicago. Sangita is an empaneled artist of ICCR, SPICMACAY & Ministry of Culture and awarded with Sringar Mani, Jayadev Samman, Woman Achievers Award, etc.