Interesting Links - Kathak

[smala]

A disciple of Chitresh Das of the Jaipur Gharana. Watch the split-second swirls and speed in movements captured in the video -- 2.45 to end is just awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx-ILSRE ... grec_index


Thank you rasikaas for the links on Manjari.

[ksl]

A disciple of Chitresh Das of the Jaipur Gharana. Watch the split-second swirls and speed in movements captured in the video -- 2.45 to end is just awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx-ILSRE ... grec_index

I think Pt. Chitresh das is trained in both lucknow and jaipur gharanas. I am not sure this is a jaipur gharana performance because salwars are not worn in jaipur gharana. Ghagras are. Salwars are worn in lucknow and banaras gharanas which were more influenced by mughlai rule.

[smala]

ksl, you are correct, Pt. Chitresh Das himself was trained both in Lucknow and Jaipur gharanas but his teaching emphasizes much from the Jaipur gharana, with its technical brilliance. Very very fast complex rhythmic foot work, whirlwind spins and swirls, turns are some examples. He is such a specialist in technique that he has created an element called Kathak Yoga. Some of the youtube videos (also clip I posted earlier) of his disciples will demonstrate what I mean. Here's the man himself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blI9mxS16s8

Pt. Birju Maharaj teaches kathak with similar elements, his is more on fluid style and elegance in footwork than whirlwind spins, more on grace in movement and hand gestures, with a focus on abhinaya as well. He is considered more representative of the Lucknow gharana.

I've watched them both, this is my understanding.

A good point on ghagras and kurta/salwar - they are reflective of Hindu traditions and later /Muslim influence - in the former, from the days of kathakars in folk dancing, the women wore ghagras, choli and dupatta while in the latter, under Muslim influence they sported a long frock style kurta called angarakhas, and tight salwar/pyjamas. Waistcoats and sometimes caps, are also used in the Muslim style of kathak dress. In the Chitresh Dance Company (Chandam School), I think the students wear salwar-churidar for ease of their high speed dancing - lightning fast footwork, spins, quick sharp movements. I'll ask a kathak dancer friend to find out more and get back on this.

[smala]

A well-done hour long video, exquisite, showcasing the Hindu traditions in kathak. The music is Divine. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Guru Rohini Bhate a teacher, researcher choreographer and creative artist reviving the best in kathak traditions. She has taught many students, some exceptional themselves, have made their own mark.


http://www.igcinema.com/video/play.aspx?l=1

this link brings up the igcinema webpage, scroll down below the free movies listed and click on page 3,

you'll see three videos on the very bottom starting from the left :

Panchabhootham
Natalayavibhati, then
KATHAK

ksl - you will find that Guru Rohini Bhate demonstrates in the same hour-long performance, the use of the two costumes in kathak. In NAMAH SIVAYA, (first piece) one dancer (Sharvari Jamenis) wears the ghagra-choli-dupatta and another, the kurta-salwar-dupatta to depict and emphasize the feminine and masculine elements in the song/dance. Very creative choreography.

This entire video is one of my absolute favorites.

[smala]

The beautiful Sharvari Jamenis, one of the prominent dancers trained under Guru Rohini Bhate in a solo performance :

A snippet, from Gananaatha, Gauri-suta (last in the hour-long video on igcinema link above). Watch the delicately portrayed pot-bellied Lambodhara here. Subtle fluid depictions of the Lord gives this dance a beauty of its own.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjTIVYjcz4U&NR=1

Another lovely short clip :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7qVZokDaOI

[smala]

A beautiful very graceful vandana clip here : Ganesha, Sarawati and Guru

The dancer is probably Russian.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJOR33sQ ... re=related

[smala]

Like Vijayantimala, Guru Rohini Bhate, still going strong at 75, the epitome of grace and beauty within. A short moving narrative on her life, struggles and achievements, her dedication to her very own Nrithyabharathi Acadamy, Pune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRekXhaZ ... 1&index=70

[smala]

A tribute to the great Dr. Pt. Rohini Bhate who passed away, age 83. in Pune. If there was someone the GOI passed over in its awards for national recognition, the Padma Sri at the very least - it was her.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/11/stories ... 801000.htm

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/10/17/stor ... 070200.htm

Performed in her memory, as tribute and offering :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsm6vgCr-bI


In black and white, this humble artist :

http://www.rohinibhate.com/

[smala]

Another piece with Hindu traditions in Kathak, a slow mime on Yashoda and the famous child of Vrindavan. This gives s glimpse of how the kathakars performed at temples and public courtyards before the formalization took place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_wbKzhN40Y

[smala]

Anuradha Nag, following the Lakhnavi gharana, Tarangini School of Kathak. Trained by Pt. Birju Maharaj.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUjdicB2-_g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWoACq-L ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFBwAHem ... re=related

[smala]

The realtionship between Flamenco, Spain's popular dance and Kathak, where its origins are rooted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz9Ra4Dw-ic

Pt. Chitresh Das has been collaborating with tap/flamenco style artists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sQn5bXbigo

[smala]

Acharya Pratishtha Sharma. Another gorgeous dancer - tall lissome grace and beauty combined - a gold-medalist from kathak kendra now following the Jaipur gharana under kathak maestro Guru Pandit Rajendra Gangani "has attained exemplary proficiency in ‘laya’, ‘footwork’, ‘chakkar’ (pirouettes) and above all ‘Bhaava’ (expressions) and has performed all over world as group and solo presentations...."

Watch her here, the contours, every curve every gesture speaks of a rare beauty in this short clip, on Sita's first meeting with Rama...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNx3H0nlZX8

She is a keen yoga practitioner and teacher from a solid lineage..."Daughter of world acclaimed Yog Guru Bharat Bhushan ji, the only ‘Padma Shri’ recipient in the field of Yog Sadhna by Govt. Of India for his outstanding contribution....

This might interest some - yoga for obesity reduction :
http://wn.com/YOGA_for_OBESITY_BHARATYO ... THA_SHARMA

[smala]

Another one from the lovely Sharvari Jamenis :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVuT44bm ... re=related


This one with perfect lighting, perfect colors on her, even more alluring - with her tip-tilted smile and the sensuous glances...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_ndKWrY3cw

[smala]

Here is the teacher for Acharya Pratishtha - Pt. Ranjendra Gangani

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk0xaIedlNU


On Guru Pandit Rajendra Gangani who defied all odds after a terrible accident and doctors gave up.

http://www.rajendragangani.com/home.html

[smala]

Happenings in the kathak scene these days...

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/04/16/stor ... 420200.htm

[smala]

Another slower form of kathak, with emphasis on Abhinaya.

Jayadeva's ....yAhi mAdhava yAhi kEsava....short clip by the expressive Saswati Sen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl7MCoW7Elk&NR=1


dhIra samIre yamuna tIrE....the soothing voice of Panditji (Birju Maharaj) himself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0ciYidfD4w&NR=1

[smala]

Vidha and Abhimanyu Lal - watch the amazing footwork - and just the sounds of the ghungroo from about 4.20 kept to taal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQMr50lTHo&NR=1

same couple performs a slower stotra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF3lR_CIPwk

[smala]

Read more on this lovely couple here :

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/01/27/stor ... 570300.htm

[smala]

Beautiful choreography... Shambhavi Vaze and others...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmGKR-bN ... re=related

[smala]

Lucknow Gharana

The following is a list of the Gurus of the Lucknow Gharana, beginning with the disciples of Ishwari Prasad :

1. Adguji
2. Khadguji
3. Tularamji
4. Prakashji
5. Dayalji
6. Harilalji
7. Durga Prasad
8. Thakur Prasad
9. Mansinghji
10. Bindadin Maharaj
11. Kalka Prasad Maharaj[2]
12. Bhairon Prasadji
13. Wajid Ali Shah
14. Achhan Maharaj
15. Lachhu Maharaj
16. Shambhu Maharaj
17. Birju Maharaj [3]
18. Krishna Mohan Maharaj
19. Maharaj Ghulam Hussain Kathak
20. Ram Mohan Maharaj
21. Saswati Sen
22. Deepak Maharaj
23. Mamta Maharaj

Source : wiki

[smala]

Jaipur Gharana

The following is a list of the Gurus of the Jaipur Gharana, beginning with the disciples of Bhanuji :

1. Maluji
2. Laluji
3. Kanuji
4. Gidhaji
5. Shejaji
6. Dulhaji
7. Hari Prasad
8. Hanuman Prasad
9. Mohanlal
10. Chiranjilal
11. Narayan Prasad
12. Shyamlal
13. Chunnilal
14. Durga Prasad
15. Govardhan
16. Charan Girdhar Chand
17. Tej Prakash Tulsi
18. Jailal
19. Sunder Prasad
20. Durga Lal

Source : wiki

[smala]

Benaras Gharana

The following is a list of the Gurus of the Benaras Gharana, beginning with the disciples of Janaki Prasad :

1. Chunnilal
2. Dulharam
3. Ganeshilal
4. Biharilal
5. Hiralal
6. Puranlal
7. Hanuman Prasad
8. Shivlal
9. Gopalji
10. Nawal Kishore
11. Bansidhar
12. Omkar Prasad
13. Sukhdev Maharaj
14. Durga Prasad
15. Kundanlal
16. Sitara Devi

Source : wiki

[smala]

Raigarh gharana

1. Pt.Kartikram
2. Pt.Phirtu Maharaj
3. Pt.Barmanlal
4. Pt.Kalyaandas Mahant

Source : wiki

[smala]

Gurus (deceased)

* Damayanti Joshi
* Devi Lal
* Rohini Bhate
* Shanker Dev Jha

[smala]

Purnima Jha, daughter and disciple of Shankar Dev Jha who worked tirelessly towards restoring the classical roots of ancient traditions in kathak. Today, Purnima is a recognized authority in this classical tradition.


http://www.myspace.com/purnimajhadanceskathak

http://www.brahmanworld.org/personaliti ... ma_jha.htm