Course Curriculum

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

Our main goal is to teach our students basics of Indian Classical Dance, Kathak. The curriculum has been developed over the years keeping in mind the requirements of the students growing up outside India. Some students start learning dance at three and some at the age of 55. No matter what age you start, after spending about four years, we expect you to have complete understanding of classical dances of India, overcome stage fear completely to perform, to be able to choreograph your own steps, have better understanding of India’s epics and historical personalities, and develop interest to pursue this art form lifelong. Please remember that most of the students learn classical dance for much longer period of time than four years. Currently our senior students have been learning this dance at least for seven years.

Over the years we have evolved a unique style and have combined bollywood steps and yoga into our curriculum to satisfy all those who are looking to learn multiple dance styles and benefit from them.

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