Kathak is another famous Indian dance form. The name is derived from ancient story –tellers who recited Kathak (i.e., stories) from our sacred epics. Kathak is in classical style it is religious in nature and was originally performed in temples and the royal courts of Rajasthan.
The oldest dancer Kathak was Bhanuji, a devotee of Shiva. His son, Manjui was his disciple. His two grandsons, Laluji and Kanhuji, acquired the mastery of Natvar Nritya. This is the dance of Krishna Natvar, the divine dancer. They made Jaipur their home. Their style is labeled the Jaipur Gharana of Kathak dance.
Nawab Wajid Ali shah of Oudh gave a lot of encouragement to Kathak dancers. Even during his exile in Calcutta he patronized Kathak dancers.
The Benaras Gharana of Kathak, of which the great, master is Jamba Prasad, is noted for its grace and precision.
The revival of the Kathak coincided with the new interest in Bharat Natya and Kathakali. The third decade of our century saw this revival. The Dagar brothers –Moinuddin and Ameenuddin-have composed some of the best Kathak music in recent times.
The temples of Orissa are known for their excellent grandeur. The temples at Bhubanewsar and Konark are carved with exquisite figures of dancers and musicians. There are sculpture that date back to first century BC. When the cult of Maharis came into existence in the temples of Orissa, dance was given a religious role in the holy rituals. Under the influence of the great poet Jaidev, the Odissi dance flourished in the Jagannath temple at Puri. The /Maharis were accomplished Odissi dancers. The excelled in both pure dance and mime.
Odissi includes two dances of joyous mood, Nartana and Nantagi. These dances are formal in style and delight in rounded curves and flexions of a sculptural beauty. Nartana creates the lyric mood for the gesture –song which follows and is accompanied by melody and dance syllables. In Nantagi intricate chanted rhythms, in unison with the drum, are gracefully accomplished. The last part of this dance is called Jhool because of its swinging rhythm and the swaying of hips.
Manipuri, the tiny Indian state, traces its arts to the Gandharvas, the heavily dancers of the Vedas. The state is mentioned in the Mahabharata. Arjuna visited the state and fell in love and married princess Chitrangad.
The oldest dance of Manipuri is Laiharbo. This dance please god Thanga (Shiva) and is described as a series of dances by the king of dancers, Lord Shiva. Laiharoba is still performed in Manipur. Young men chose the girls as partners and dance the story of Thamba and Thoibi, the legendary lovers of Manipur. In the Manipuri there are Rasdances which are very graceful. One pose seems to merge into another like a dream. In this sublime communion of the Ras maidens, there is no place for beguiling glances and amorous gestures.
Every Manipuri dance begins with a salutation to Karta of Manipur Ras.
