THE SIGNIFICANCE OF UNIFORMITY IN KATHAK NRITTA HASTA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v4.i1.2023.382Keywords:
Kathak, Nritta Hastas, Uniformity, Hand Gestures, Mudras, Technique, Evolution, StorytellingAbstract [English]
This paper talks about the significance of uniformity in the Nritta Hastas of Kathak dance across gharanas and eras. Kathak, an Indian classical dance form, hails from North India. Nritta Hastas refer to hand gestures or movements used in Indian classical dance. Often interchanged with” “hasta mudra”, “Nritta Hastas” encompass all hand movements and gestures, whereas “mudras” are more indicative of emotions and literal depictions of objects present in our environment.
Kathak has evolved to appeal and cater to the spectators of today’s times - with lightning fast spins and hand movements along with intricate footwork. However, this has caused unfavorable negotiations with the original technique and overall uniformity of Nritta Hastas, thus resulting in the deterioration of quality in dance performances. For example, prioritizing the ability to execute multiple spins in quick succession, aiming to impress the audience with their speed and agility, leads to neglecting the intricate hand movements and mudras, which are essential for conveying the nuanced emotions and storytelling aspects of the dance. The purpose of this research paper is to shed light on the importance of maintaining uniformity by adhering to techniques, methods and pedagogies mentioned in ancient scriptures pertinent to Indian classical dance.
Downloads
References
Bergs, A. (2018). Learn the Rules Like a Pro, So You Can Break Them Like an Artist (Picasso): Linguistic Aberrancy from a Constructional Perspective. Zeitschrift für Anglistik und Amerikanistik, 66(3), 277–293. https://doi.org/10.1515/zaa-2018-0025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/zaa-2018-0025
Chakravarthy, S. (2021). Understanding Nrittahastas in Kathak. Hindu.
Chakravarty, S. (2018). The Art of Kathak Dance: Tradition and Modernity. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 8(1), 25–31. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hssr.2018.81003.13
Chatterjee, T., and Bandyopadhyay, A. (2014). Kathak dance: An Artistic Expression of Classical Indian Dance Form. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 4(1), 143–148.
Deshpande, N. (2017). Kathak Dance: Art and Technique. Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 8(2), 144–146. https://doi.org/10.5958/2321-5828.2017.00025.9
Garg, K., and Goyal, D. (2018). A Comprehensive Review on Nrittahastas in Indian Classical Dance. International Journal of Engineering and Computer Science, 7(8), 22756–22759.
Goswami, M. (2017). Nritta Hastas: Understanding the Importance in Kathak. International Journal of Engineering Technology Science and Research, 4(4), 398–400.
H. (2022, September 30). Akram Khan Interview: “Indian Dancers Place Themselves in the Shoes of Gods and Mortals.” Darbar Arts Culture and Heritage Trust.
Maharaj, B. (2002). Ang Kavya.
Nair, S. (2017). The Art of Nrittahastas in Indian Classical Dance. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 6(3), 23–26.
Nandikeśvara, and Vallabh, A. (2013). Abhinaya Darpanam: An Illustrated Translation.
Pandey, S. (2018). Kathak Dance: Tradition and Modernity. International Journal of Current Research and Review, 10(7), 68–72. https://doi.org/10.31782/IJCRR.2018.10717
Rajamani, I. (2012). Natya Sastra Revisited: Theory and Interpretation. Indian Literature, 56(4), 57–75.
Ramanathan, V. (2019). Understanding Hasta Mudras in Indian Classical Dance. Indiafacts.
Sarkar, M. (2016). The Technique and Form of Kathak dance. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management, 4(10), 4854–4859.
Singh, S. (2019). The Contemporary Art of Kathak Dance. Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 10(4), 981–984. https://doi.org/10.5958/2321-5828.2019.00163.8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5958/2321-5828.2019.00161.X
Swaminathan, C. (2020, May 21). KumudiniLakhia: The Lovable Diva of Choreography. Hindu. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
Swaminathan, C. (2020, May 21). KumudiniLakhia: The Lovable Diva of Choreography.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Dr. Parul Purohit Vats
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
With the licence CC-BY, authors retain the copyright, allowing anyone to download, reuse, re-print, modify, distribute, and/or copy their contribution. The work must be properly attributed to its author.
It is not necessary to ask for further permission from the author or journal board.
This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
