Sugar Land Kathak dancers share their

passion, love, and creativity through this Indian dance

Written by Julie DoldPhotography by Jason Lehecka

StorytellingThrough

Dance

“I enjoy the freedom of expression and creativity,

and love how we get to express ourselves through

dance and just flow with the music.”

- Mishi Jain

Cover Feature

The Art of

Mishi Jain has been performing Kathakfor over nine years

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As a relative newbie to Kathak dancing, I was not sure what to expect when I first sat down to watch the Ritu Chaar: An Ode to the Four Seasons performance. As the lights began to dim, women dressed in ornately decorated pink and blue dresses with bells tied to their ankles stepped out onto the stage. I was immediately intrigued. With intricate footwork and amazingly expressive facial movements, it was difficult not to be captivated by their creative and entertaining cultural performance.

“I like the graceful movements and facial

expressions!”- Tara Narang

Tara Narang has enjoyed learning more about her culture through Kathak

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The Art of StorytellingKathak is one of the major classical dance forms from northern India, but you don’t have to travel far to see this amazing dance. Kathak is derived from the Hindi word “katha.” Translated, it means “the art of storytelling,” and each dance does just that. From the coveted Ganesh Vandana to the Rajasthani folk dance, each performance is intricately and carefully planned.

With the correct teaching and technique, dancers will experience growth spiritually and emotionally by learning how to perfect facial expressions called Bhaav, intricate hand and footwork routines, and twirls or chakkars. “The dance teaches one to be disciplined, to emotionally connect with the theme, and to articulate a story through artistic expressions and dance movements,” says Shiva Mathur, director of Shivangini Classes in Sugar Land.

Passionate Dancers Many dancers began their journey to finding Kathak by being involved in other forms of dance, but wanting something a little more. Mathur’s students come from a background of ballet, jazz, and tap, but Kathak seems to offer something that other dances do not. “Dancing has always been my passion, and the moment I saw Kathak, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” says nine-year Kathak dancer Amita Batra.

While Mathur loves teaching her students the form of Kathak, she also wants to help keep the Indian culture and heritage alive here in the U.S. “Most of the students are no longer using the Hindi language,” says Mathur. “By explaining the words in a song and translating them in English, I can help the students emote effectively, which is one of my main goals.”

It is rare to find a dancer who is not passionate about Kathak. Many students agree that the dance has helped them in more than one way. “I have learned to become creative and independent,” says nine-year Kathak dancer Mishi Jain. “It has helped me learn more about my culture and life skills,” adds five-year dancer Tara Narang.

Shiva Auntie, as her students call her, has over 240 students, but she doesn’t let that stop her from teaching every class. Her students are definitely grateful for her adoration and passion to the dance form. “She is a great teacher, mentor, and supporter for of the things we do,” says Kathak dancer Surina Odhav. “She has taught us to love and respect dance.”

“Dancing has always been my passion, and the moment I

saw Kathak, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”

- Amita Batra

Amita Batra has always been passionate

about dancing

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“I love everything about Kathak: the dance, the music,

the movement. It just all comes together in an

amazing way.”- Surina Odhav

Understanding Kathak

Kathak TermsBhaav

Facial expressions

BolsRhythmic words

Chakkars

Twirls

Ghunghroo Small bells the dancer ties

around their ankles

TukdaA short technical routine

with a specified meter

Kathak is a classical form of dance that originated in northern India. It is derived from the Hindi word “katha,” which translated means “the art of storytelling.” While there are many different instruments used in Kathak, a tabla is one of the most common. Shiva Mathur, director of Shivangini Classes, focuses on teaching students the art of displaying human emotions in every performance.

Surina Odhav shines in typical Kathak attire

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“Kathak is a base form for

many other types of dance. It allows you to express

yourself.” - Vividha Thakkar

Kathak TermsBhaav

Facial expressions

BolsRhythmic words

Chakkars

Twirls

Ghunghroo Small bells the dancer ties

around their ankles

TukdaA short technical routine

with a specified meter

Vividha Thakkar has learned to be the best she can be

through Kathak

Kathak has even encouraged many dancers to help share their love of dance with others. “I love dance so much that now I volunteer and teach students dance at an organization called Creative Dreams,” says Narang.

Classical AttireA dance of any sort would not be complete without the correct costume. “Wearing proper Kathak attire and jewelry is especially important, as it helps convey a message to the audience of the mood or feeling an artist is portraying,” shares Kathak dancer Ainee Dhuka.

While there are multiple variations of outfits, there are two that are the most common. The first one is known as the anarkali, which is a long flowing pleated top that reaches below the knees and is worn with chudidaars or leggings and a dupatta or veil. The second costume is called the lehenga choli and includes a long pleated skirt, a blouse, and a dupatta, as well. The outfits are typically brightly colored and ornately embroidered or decorated. Silver or gold jewelry is worn, as well.

Dancers also wear a string of small brass bells known as ghungroos, which they tie around their ankles. Ghungroos are an important part of Kathak, as they help dancers understand the various rhythms and provide an enjoyable musical harmony during each performance. “This art form enables the student to emote the various sounds of the percussion on the foot, and that becomes a very intriguing display,” Mathur says.

Learning the Language Due to its feminine nature and soft movements, Mathur says that females are more drawn to Kathak, but males are welcome to join. However, many males are more interested in the dholak and the tabla, which are percussion-type instruments used during the dances. The dholak is a single drum that is played in the horizontal position, and the tabla is a two-piece drum set.

Interested in learning Kathak, the dholak, or the tabla? Shivangini Classes do have a waiting list, but Mathur tries very hard to accommodate some students from the list every year. Registration begins in May, and Mathur believes 5 or 6 years old is the perfect age for students to begin learning the dance form. “When the child is young, there is much more time on the schedule to practice,” Mathur says. “They tend to follow the instructions of a teacher very well.” As long as a student is dedicated and willing to work hard at the studio or at home, anyone of any age is welcome.

By seeing a performance of Kathak, spectators will see that there is so much to learn about the Indian culture. You will be amazed to see just how the clothes, jewelry, expressions, and mythology play such a big part in the performances. “I think having forums where different ethnicities can can express their culture through their native dances is a spectacular idea,” shares Mathur. “Everyone can understand the language of music and dance!” SLM

JULIE DOLD enjoys being the editorial coordinator for Sugar Land Magazine and was thoroughly impressed by all the amazing Kathak dancers at the Ritu Chaar performance.

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