Magical Moves at the Majestic Courts of India
By siliconindia   |   Saturday, 11 February 2012, 01:14 IST   |    1 Comments
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Magic Moves at the Majestic Courts of India
Kathak started off as a court dance. A few considered it developed from Lord Krishna's raas lilas, forms of which have also progressed into the popular Garba style dances popular in North India and Gujarat. The style steadily altered during the Mughal period under the sway of Persian dance, the most important change being straight knees in place of the bent knees used in most other Indian classical forms. Elaborate footwork and spins, as well as abhinaya, are the highlights of Kathak. The Mughals took a prominent place in this field. Throughout the Mughal rule, all the classical dance and music forms of India were to a great extent supported by the Mughal Emperors, under whose benefaction several of the musical instruments and musical modes were also invented. Kathak, in existing list from the Hindu tradition, added the Persian dance elements, since Persian dancers were always coming to the Mughal court. Particularly in the later Mughal period, when they had become politically weak and the British were really ruling India, the Mughal princes contributed greatly towards the development of Kathak. Wajid Ali Shah, the ruler of Oudh was a Kathak dancer himself and used to hold Kathak performances in his court. He had received training in classical singing and composed poetry for his Kathak performances. Eventhough he was not successful politically and was eventually captured by the British and sent into exile, he contributed greatly to the dance and music of India.

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