Everything you ever wanted to know about Indian Classical Dancing
Gauri Jog has spent more than 35 years practicing and researching Indian Dance. Here is wealth of information for your use.
First of all, everything is free. We do not charge anything for using this material. But I have few requests before you use the material. Please do not copy it without permission. It takes long time to compile such information and it is illegal and plain stupid. The information is separated by various dance categories such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi etc. If you have a good information, please share it with us. There is no point keeping everything in your brain and in your house. So it is my earnest request to send all types of material (written, audio, video). We will acknowledge all the material contributed at appropriate places writing your name. This is great way to leave some footprint behind. Please send all your comments or material to gaurijog@gaurijog.com. If you want to send any material by postal mail then our address is: Gauri Jog, 2200 Briar Hill Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60194.
Please make others aware of this website and encourage them to send any old material related to Indian Classical Dance, may be you have old audio or video cassettes, may be you have recorded something which you will never need. Every material is important and may be very useful to someone else.
Indian Dance General Resources
Origin of Dancing: This article describes Origin of Dancing. People are dancing from stone age and the article explores evolution of dancing, history of hopscotch, Ballet.
Story of Indian Dancing: Indian dancing is 2000 year old dance tradition of the cultured world. This article explores dancing Siva, Natya Sastra, Mudras, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri
Classical Dances of India: Indian Classical Dance tradition goes back to 2000 years. This article explores seven classical dances from India Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniattam
Indian Folk Dance Resources
Folk Dances of India: Explore Folk dances from India such as Jawara, Chhau, Dalkhai, Dumhal, Hikat, Namagen, Bhangra, Dhamyal, Bihu, DholCholam, Dandiya, Tera Tali, Padayani, Kargam, Lava
Trance Folk Dance: This article explores trance or spirit type Indian Folk dances such as Bhoota, Jagar, Kanchani Nritya, Bhaktas, Kavadi, Maibi, Teyyam
Social Folk Dances: This page explores Indian Social Folk Dances such as Laddakhi, Gaja Nach, Devar Attam, Kolkali, Jhoria, Kachchi Ghori, Nyida Parik, Chari, Dafla, Dhobi, Kaksar, Hudo, Bhagoria, Tushimig
Seasonal Folk Dances: This page explores Indian Social Folk Dances such as Rayee, Bana, Phagnoi, Churkula, Baa Parab, jadur, Mating, Chaiti Ghoda Nata, Dandia Gair, Loor, Phagun, Dalkhai, Hemant, Madai, Bilma, Jitia, Bhadap, Riju Dune, Namagen
Ritual Folk Dances: This page explores Indian Ritual Folk Dances such asLai Haroba, Karagam, Tendong-faat, Popir, Cheraw, Tirayattam, Jhika-Dasain, Ariba Pala, Lankhon Phuza
Recreational Folk Dances: This page explores Indian Recreational Folk Dances such as Rouf, Kikat,Naati, Tharu, Sayna, Chaufla, Dhimsa, Solakia, Jhamta, Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Tera Taali, Gidda, Chhau
Harvest Folk Dances: This page explores Indian Harvest Folk Dances such as Bihu, Sarhul, Parab, Bhojal, Hajagiri, Dandiya Rasa, Bhangra, Jhumar, Karthi, Kud, Hero Parab, Dhan Nach, Batauli Nach, Tarpa
Game and Martial Folk Dances: This page explores Indian Game and Martial Folk Dances such as Thang-Ta, Kalaripayettu, Kolkali, Parichhamuttumkali, Velakali, Oachirakali, Yatrakali, Silambattam, Paika Nacha, Paikali, Chholia
Drum Folk Dances: This page explores Indian Game and Martial Folk Dances such as Pung Cholam, Ghumra, Dollu Kunita, Warli Dhol, Bhil Dhol, Dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Tappettai, Dhemali, Tappumelakkali
Ceremonial Folk Dances: This page explores Indian Ceremonial Folk Dances such as Garba, Pata-da Kunita, Dhangar, Karma, Lahaw (Lahoo), Garadi, Suggi Kunita, Naati, Solakia, Dandia Gair, Ronkhla
Boys and Girls Folk Dances: This page explores Indian Ceremonial Folk Dances such as Gotipua, Sattriya, Tharuha. Indian Dance School by Gauri Jog teaches many Indian Folk dances.
Kathak Dance Resources
Overview of Kathak Dance: Kathak is a major Classical Dance from India. Kathak means telling a story. Indian Dance School by Gauri Jog is a premier dance school imparting training in Kathak in north America.
Kathak History and Gharanas: Kathak is a major dance from India. Kathak means telling a story. There are three major styles in Kathak Lucknow, Banaras and Jaipur. Gauri Jog teaches Kathak in Chicago area and online.
History of Kathak: Kathak dates back to Vedik times. when epics of Rigveda, Mahabharata and Ramayana were composed. Indian Dance School explores history of Kathak - a major Classical Dance from India.
Kathak Lucknow Gharana: The Lucknow Gharana of Kathak was developed in the courts of the Nawab of Oudh. It particularly emphasises grace, elegance and naturalness in the dance.
Kathak Jaipur Gharana: The Jaipur Gharana of Kathak was developed in the courts of the Kachchwaha kings of Jaipur in Rajasthan. Here is the emphasis is on complex and powerful footwork, multiple spins
Kathak Beneras Gharana: The Benaras Gharana was developed by Janakiprasad. It is characterized by the exclusive use of the natwari or dance bols
Comparison of Gharanas: Lucknow, Banaras and Jaipur are recognized as the three schools, or gharanas of Kathak.
Kathak Gurus: Gauri Jog explores history of Kathak Gurus such as Achchan Maharaj, Bindadin Maharaj, Birju Maharaj, Damayanti Joshi, Gopi Krishna, Kalika Prasad, Maya Rao, Rani Karna, Shambhu Maharaj
Kathak Terms & Mudras: Hasta Mudras or Hand Gestures are indispensable part of Indian Classical Dance Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi Mohiniattam. Gauri Jog of Indian Danec School explains each of them.
Technical Terms in Kathak Dance: Gauri Jog explores major terms used in Indian Classical Dance Kathak, Bharatnatyam such as Amad, Dadra, Chaturang, Kavit, Toda, Palte, Padhant, Laya, Salami, Tatkar, Tehai, Thaat, Tukda, Upang, Thumri
Single Hand Mudras: Gauri Jog explores Single Hand Gestures or Hasta Mudras in Indian Classical Dance Kathak, Bharatnatyam Kuchipudi such as Pataka, Mayur, Aral, Mushti, Shikhar, Kapitha, Suchi
Both Hand Mudras: Gauri Jog explores Two or Both Hand Gestures or Hasta Mudras in Indian Classical Dance Kathak, Bharatnatyam Kuchipudi such as Anjali, Kapota, Swastika, Dola, Katakavardhan, Shankh
Basic Positions in Kathak - Overview: This page explores basic feet positions in Indian Classical Dance Kathak Bharatnatyam Kuchipudi Odissi such as Naman, Utpati, Palat, Sthira, Suchita, Samataal, Pravah, Anjuri
Basic Feet Positions in Kathak Dance: This page explores basic feet positions in Indian Classical Dance Kathak Bharatnatyam Kuchipudi Odissi such as Naman, Utpati, Palat, Sthira, Suchita, Samataal, Pravah, Anjuri
Ornamental Feet Positions in Kathak Dance: This page explores ornamental feet positions in Indian Classical Dance Kathak Bharatnatyam Kuchipudi Odissi such as Pravah, Lavashika, Swaggat, Anjuri, Matang, Umang, Dhvaja, Ardhaanga
Circle Feet Positions in Kathak: This page explores ornamental feet positions in Indian Classical Dance Kathak Bharatnatyam Kuchipudi Odissi such as Pheri, Baddhapheri, Muktapheri, Pavanpheri, Ardhapheri
Wrist Positions: This page explores wrist positions in Indian Classical Dance Kathak Bharatnatyam Kuchipudi Odissi such as Chapal Kalaas, Thirkan, Jalbhramari, Mridanga, Kavach, Paltaa,
Emotions - Navras: Natya Shastra enumerated Nine Rasas or sentiments in Kathak Bharatnatyam Odissi Kuchipudi such as Shringar, Vir, Karuna, Hasya, Adbhuta, Rudra, Bhay, Bibhatsa and Shant.
Concept of Nayak And Nayikas in Kathak Dance: An important feature of the Nritya aspect of Kathak dance is the Nayak-Nayika Bheda, or the distinction between the male and the female characters.Gauri Jog explains.
Types of Nayikas in Kathak Dance: Gauri Jog explains types of female characters in Kathak Bharatnatyam dance such as Vasakasajja, Svadhinabhartrika, Kalabantarita, Virahotkanthita, Khandita, Vipralabdha etc
How Gods & Goddesses are depicted in Kathak Dance: Hindu gods and goddesses like Vishnu and Lakshmi, Rama and Sita, Krishna and Radha are all depicted in classical Indian dances such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam.
Music for Kathak: General information about music used in Kathak
Compositions of Wajid Ali Shah: Nawan Wajid Ali Shah was a great patron of Kathak dance. Thakur Prasadji was his Kathak guru, and the unforgettable Kalka-Binda brothers performed in his court.
Compositions of Bindadin Majaraj: Guru of Kathak, Bindadin Maharaj of Lucknow Gharana was superb dancer and prolific composer. Gauri Jog explains about the compositions of Bindadin Maharaj