Indian Classical Dance Kathak Course Curriculum

Also covers bollywood, yoga and fusion with Bharatanatyam, Jazz and Flamenco

We follow a well structured coursework prescribed by many universities in India to impart formal learning of this classical dance.

Overview

The basic purpose of our school is to teach basics of Kathak dance for all those interested in learning Indian dance. The curriculum has been designed keeping in mind the requirements of students in America which has been gathered over the years. The four year curriculum covers:

Learning basic steps Learning various styles Learning basic of Indian music and accompanying instruments Learning about epics and historic personalities Learning choreography and performing on the stage Learning about other dance styles and exploring opportunities in creating fusion with American Ballet, Flamenco, Bharatnatyam etc.

First Year (Prarambhik)
Total Points: 50 (Practical 40 points, Theory 10- points), passing points: 17

Theory

• Definition of Laya, Vilambit Laya, Madhya Laya, Druta Laya, Matra (beat), Sum, Tali and Khali and Taal “Teentaal”

Practical

• 
  Five Tatkaars in Taal Teentaal and double speed of it.
• Ten Todas and four Chakradhar Toda’s in Tal Teentaal
• Vocal demonstration of Taal using hands and it’s double and four times of its speed
• Any two modern dances

Second Year (Praveshika Pratham)
Total Points: 75 (Practical 60 points, Theory 15 ponits), passing points: 25

Theory

• Knowledge and definition of following terms such as Laya (slow, medium and fast), Sum, Matra, Tali, Khali, Gatnikas, Tatkar, Toda, Gatpatta, Thaat, Salami (Rangmanch Pranam), Baat and Tukada
• To understand the sign of Taals
• Brief history of Kathak Nritya (dance)

Practical

• 
  Dance presentation in Taal Teentaal: One Salami, One Amad, Six Todas (New), Two Chakradhar Todas, Four Gatnikas (Normal, Matki, Bansuri and ghungat)
• Tattkar – double and four times the speed
• Clap-marked vocal demonstration of all Todas learned
• Palte/Baat in Taal Teentaal
• Clap-marked vocal demonstration of Taal Dadra and Taal Kherwa

Third Year (Praveshika Purna)
Total Points: 125 (Practical 75 points, Theory 50 ponits), passing points: 44

Theory

• Detailed knowledge of history of Kathak
• Definition with example of the following: Amad, Toda, Tukada, Tatkar, Paran, Chakradhar, Kavit, Tehai, Ang, Pratyang, Upang, Gat-bhav, Hasta Mudra (hand gestures) Nine Sir Sanchalan (head movements) according to Abhinaya Darpan
• Definition of folk dance, their dress codes and costumes, instruments needed for those folk dances like garba, bhangra, ghumar etc.
• Definition and uses of one hand gestures. Asayukta – Pataka, Tripataka, Ardhapataka, Kartari Mukha, Mayur, Ardha Chandra, Aral, Shukatunda, Mushti, Shikhar, Kapitya, Katkamukha, Suchi, Chandrakala, Padmakosh
• Biography of any renowned Kathak dancer
• Name of present Tabla player who plays with Kathak dancers
• To write with Taal and Signs: one Tehai in Taal Teentaal, one Plain Amad, one Paran Judi Amad, one Toda, one Paran, one Kavit,
• Jhapataal – double, one Tehai, one Toda, one plain Amad, and one plain Paran
• To write dadra and keherwa with its Taal notations

Practical

• Teentaal - That, one Amad, one Salami, four different Todas, two Paran, four Chakradhar Todas, one Chakradhar Paran, two Kavit Should be able to do Padhant of all bols on hands
• Able to show all the hand gestures in dance
• Jhaptal: One That, one Amad, one Tehai, oen Toda, one Chakradhar Toda, one Paran
• Gatnikas – plain, Matki, Flue, Mor-Mukut, Ghunghat
• Gat Bhaav – breaking of Matki
• One Folk dance

Fourth Year (Madhyana Pratham)
Total Points: 200 (Practical 125 points, Theory 75 points), passing points: 70 (for theory 75, for practical 48)

Theory

• All definitions done in previous years
• Definition of Kathaksh, Primul, types of Nartan, Nrit & Natya, definition of Nritya (dance), Lasya (Female) & Tandava (shaker)
• Types of neck (garden) – according to Abhinaya Darpan.
• Type of Drushti – styles according to Abhinaya Darpan.
• Differentiate between folk dance and ancient dance (Uday Shankar) Biography of Pandit Narayan Prasad, Pt. Shambhu Maharaj, Shri Jayalal Maharaj
• Brief history and importance of Jaipur and Lucknow gharanas of dance.
• Definition and uses of hand gestures (A sanyukta mudra) Sarpashish, Shinhamukha, Kangul, Alapadma, Chatur, Bhramar, Hanspaksha, Sandesh, Mukul, Tamrachuda, Trishul Sahyukta Hasta – 2 hand gestures Anjali, Kapot, Karkat, Swastik, Dola, Pushpakut, Utsang, Shivling, Katkavardhan, KartariSwastik, Shakut, Shankha
• Complete knowledge of Teentaal, Jhaptaal and Eaktaal

Practical

• Teentaal – Guru Vandana, three That, two Amad, five Chakradhar Toda not less than four Avartan, five Paran, three Chakradhar Paran, two Kavit, three simple Toda, three Chakradhar Tehai, Palte Jhaptaal – three Tehai, one That, one Amad, one Salami, five simple Toda, two Paran, two Chakradhar Paran, two Kavit
• Aektaal – one That, one Amad, four Toda, two Paran, two Chakradhar Paran, two Kavit, two Tehai, Tattkar – single, double and four times
• Expression – Thumri in taal Teentaal, Bhajan in Dadra or Keherva on Meera,
• Gatbhav – Makhanchori, Holi
• Gatnikas - Kalai