Basic Feet Positions In Kathak

Naman

Both hands in loosely clapped position, 6 inches in front of chest center, right palm over left. This is a main position of the hands for footwork.

Utpatti

Both hands brought near the chest center, first finger tip and thumb touching each other, palms facing downward. Almost all Nritta Hastakas start from this position.

Sthira

One hand remains in Utpatti position, the other extends firmly on one side of the body, palm facing down.

Palat

Turning the palm over with the rotation of the wrist.

Urdhva Hasta Chakra

The hand moves upward from Utpatti with fingertips dropping down; fingers open outward towards audience as palm faces up, wrist rotates in half circle (clockwise for left and anti clockwise for right) as if holding a plate, then hand glides down palm facing audience, back to Utpatti.

Madhya Hasta Chakra

Hand moves forward and outward, palm facing up, then gradually travels sideways, tracing a circular path, returning to Utpatti position.

Tala Hasta Chakra

Wrist of right hand rolls down in front, palm facing audience, arm fully extended, then swings downward and backward as palm faces out, finally pulling back to Utpatti position as wrist turns in an anti-clockwise half circle

Urdhva Kona Suchita

Hand travels from Utpatti position diagonally upward, as palm snaps open with a sharp jerk, facing up. 

Madhya Kona Suchita

Hand moves out from Utpatti position, extends fully (shoulder level height), finger tips pointing out, palm facing up.

Tala Kona Suchita

Arm moves from Utpatti position downward, snapping open in full extension, palm facing up. 

Samatal

Arm moves away from body, fully extended to the side at shoulder level height (palm facing down).

Aalingan

Both arms open sideways and move forward as in embrace. The rotation of the wrist is important.

Vyaapti

Both hands extend in front, then move to the sides (palm up) and then return to the Utpatti position.

Ardha Aalingan

Arm extend to the side, encircles forward and pulls back to Utpatti position (wrist position important)

Pushpak

Both hands move straight up, palm touch each other at base of thumb mound, make a complete twist rotation as they come down to Utpatti position.

Pravah

One arm extends to the side, the other points in that direction but remains near chest center, wrists rotate in opposite direction moving from out to in.

Lavashikha

Wrists rotate in opposite directions as one arm extends diagonally upward and forward and the other arm goes exactly opposite, downward.

Thaap

Arm extends outward and palm snaps as if slapping on a drum.

Swaagat

Both arms extend on one side (palm upwards), as if to welcome, then pullback as elbows are bent.

Anjuri

Matang

Both hands move out from Utpatti position, one going upwards, the other downwards diagonally opposite, then the waist turns and then they stop with a jerk, palms facing out.

Umang

Both hands go up as the waist rolls from inside and opens with palms facing out.

Dhvaja

The wrist rolls from inside as both hands go up and fingers point towards the corner (palms facing audience)

Srota

Both hands move upward (till forehead level), fingers tapering down; then sharply move down and fall on both sides of the body, (about 12 inches away), palms facing outward.

Ardhaanga

The palm near the chest in Sthira Hastak, is held fully erect upwards, facing sideways and out.