Tarana : a technical piece of Kathak

[Rajkumari1997]

I don't like commenting on videos, but I just HAD to leave a little note on this page. This video is simply amazing. I've downloaded it, and I can't stop rewatching it. Congratulations to both dancers.

[nehatothemaxx3]

Does anyone know what raga is this?

[soron84700]

Magnifique!!! une grâce absolu, c'est tout simplement un délice !

[sadiyahchill]

Awesome Dance - Please also check out my videos. Any feedback is very much appreciated. user: sadiyahchill

[holistic1951]

now this is what i call kathak.very graceful movements and a fantastic footwork.the pair is enviable

[MelissaKMD]

Wouuuuahhh !!!

[desigirl1329]

mind blowing.

[Illjustwait]

I am fairly new to the study of Indian Classical music and, though I have seen numerous instrumental performances, this is the first time I have ever seen dance to accompany a raga. It absolutely blew me away. Cheers to the beautiful Indian culture :)

[vidaripollen]

superb.

[C0oterBooter]

my Scottish/Ukrainian heritage seems so boring now. I wish I was Indian!

[Varoonmg]

@C0oterBooter Well I'm actually of Indian Descent, and I LOVE Ballet....Tchaikovsky is definitely not boring lol...

[C0oterBooter]

I was forced into going to a Kathak performance tonight, I'd never heard of it and I didn't really want to go. But I have never seen anything so beautiful!!! I was MESMERIZED!! It was the best 3 hours of my life!!! I had to come online to see more, more, MORE!

Also, I taped a tiny video with my digital camera, but a gruff security guard rudely said "NO CAMERAS, LADY!"

[7girish]

India has such a rich heritage which i can bet no other country has, we have Bharat Natyam, Kathak and many many more dance forms.....i am happy to be an Indian.

[suju312005]

Simply I have no words. Its amazing! The most amazing technical thing I think is In later (half) part each performer will dance full teental, then half of it and then one forth, one eighth and then one matra and then half and one forth matra I guess and then together. What a combination!

[muzicmaniya]

2.02 to 6.09 were awesome

[rakeshs21]

अद्भुत !

[SheraEll]

Very professional!

[sannotson]

I love this piece. Watched it over and over again. After learning bharatnatyam during my childhood, I have been learning kathak since 2 years. The thing i love about this is (and a lot of other kathak pieces) it's hard to distinguish between the music and the dance... it just all comes together... I can just feel the rhythm in the air!

[isle631]

loved this piece...esp the jugalbandi....and it is inspiring to read about Pt. Rajendra Gangani's story...

[SuperNeshe]

Great precision

[SuperhumanChichi]

@ 0:37 - did she drop something (ghungaroo maybe?) or is that part of the dance?

[ohimechan]

I think one of them had lost one ghungroo :) it's quite often during performances. I'm loving this tarana!

[SuperhumanChichi]

ohh ok thanks! I wasn't sure about that move, just wanted to make sure. Great dance!

[ADMJCXNK97fan]

@SuperhumanChichi i think she was flicking something away so she doesn't step on it (?)

[yukimunni]

Awesome.

[marceblumme]

i am so desperate to learn.... but there are no teachers around where i am at :( :( if i had a job in India i'd be there right now! :( lol enough of my lamenting.... this is excellent and very moving!! thanks for posting!!

[Subhadrapremadd]

wow I hope I can see a performance when Im in India coming September/october. Anybody knows a good place to go see Kathak ? Please help !! :-) thanks !

[KRN64]

I have read somewhere that there are three famous schools of kathak: in lucknow, banaras and jaipur (and I hope this is correct...). In these towns you will perhaps get the occasion to see performances?

[cavegirl1985]

I love it!!

Thank's for Up-Loading!!

[TheShrutialaankar]

Excellent...superb.!!!

[AllyAdnan]

Excellent!

[mishalnazr]

Wah!!! excellent .with all good wishes

fm Mishalnazdn

[Mamoni123]

kya baat haii

[minibus9]

cool, studying bollywood for performing arts a college and they said this was a number of videos i had to watch and anaalyise, one thing i can say already is that i love the combination of subtlty and more obvious movements in this dance

[resplendentsmile]

This is a rare gem and should be treated with respect. Not many people, at least in the Kathak fraternity have access Pt. Rajendra Gangani's videos. We can learn so much by simply watching this over and over again...

Btw Pt. Gangani's story reads nothing less than a legend. He met with a fatal accident a few years back and the docs almost gave up. But if you see him dance now...it is a miracle!!! Nothing can come close to him!!!

[dpinvogue]

I understand what you are saying - excellent work - I am being extremely pedantic, but a fatal accident would have meant he did not survive the accident - he did. A better word would have been a life-threatening or serious accident.

[dpinvogue]

@resplendentsmile It can't be a fatal accident if he did not die - I would say 'life-threatening', serious, near-fatal, coma-inducing etc. but a fatal accident is one in which the victim does from his injuries. Nothing wrong with your facts, just poniting out English usage.

[1991Laxmi]

nice

[shiva4ever]

The contribution of Harappa is not limited to simply the units of measurement, but the reason behind devising these PARTICULAR units of measurement. If you care to investigate more, you might discover how the units are devised to facilitate easy planning and division in even the most complicated of architectural plans. But that would require stepping out of the cocoon of comforting escapism of toeing the 'accepted' line. I advise you to check if you have the 'jigar' for this undertaking.

[shiva4ever]

The reason I mentioned the Taj was to show how surface appearances and lazy correlation (tuq-bandi) cannot replace basic ground research. The Imperialisst Brits haplessly seized upon an itinerant Italian to allocate an Italian basis for the Taj, Max Mueller formed his Aryan Invasion theory on anti-semiticism and his belief in creationism, and now we have 'Persian' influences on Kathak based on the straight leg. There may well be Persian influences, I myself acknowledge thematic contributions...

[shiva4ever]

...BUT I would have serious objections to ASSUMING things based on merely the association of Noor Jahan with Persia. Did she train dancers? Was she even particularly fond of dance? Is there any recorded evidence of her specific contribution here? Mere 2+2 is not good enough to draw conclusions. That would be the greatest disservice to the rigors & sacrifices of the great artistes down the ages who spent their lives refining this art. Give credit where credit is due... NOT where you 'feel' it is.

[ohimechan]

well said

my maths teacher once demonstrated that 2+2 were not 4...

don't go for the easy ones and search for yourself

[shiva4ever]

Lol. Sure thing. Besides, human beings are not like numbers and are multi-facetted and complex. Just assuming things based on armchair assumptions (such as Noor Jahan was Persian therefore everything in India was from Persian sources) is the hallmark of lazy, immature, armchair 'scholarship'. Nothing like good, rounded, solid research, and actual experience of the thing before one dares spout forth.

[anangsen]

Hi Shiva, are you online now? I have read the entire comment section of this thread, then gone on the net for more inputs and I find your views to be borne out. Thanks for persisting in putting your arguments despite those who disagreed or acted childish. We must have courage of convictions to follow through to the logical conclusion.

I waiting for more.

[shiva4ever]

Thanks very much for your encouraging comments. It means a lot to me that there are still people who are willing to trek away from the beaten path :)

[Bellydanceshiva]

I am online now....rmm what did I say, what did I miss.? oh wait..u meant the other Shiva. My bad. I'll just sit on the sideline and watch,,,

[hidimb]

Excellent! keep it up

[shiva4ever]

Thanks Hidimb.

[anangsen]

I am amazed at your analysis. I just read quite the same thing on the net a few hours ago. Woohoo!

[siddis31]

OH MY GOD !!!!!!! I am very impressed by your knowledge and the way you put forward your points. I would like to discuss Indian History with you. Plz share ur email id with me.

[shiva4ever]

Thanks for your generous praise @siddis31. I am sick and tired of the slavish thinking of us Indians. Seems the Brits have left but we have not left them, and we continue to steadfastly refuse to credit the great achievements of our ancestors because that might make us 'non-progressive'. It is this which prompts me to argue so forcefully, even if it means that some 'intellectuals' and 'secular' minded people get upset. Too bad for them, but I love my India and am not ashamed of this at all!

[purpoguh87]

Nicely put.

[shiva4ever]

Thanks @purpoguh87.

[shiva4ever]

In fact, come to think of it, the demi-plie is INTIMATELY related to the dance costume. Even in the west, there is no use of Demi-plie in gown wearing ball room dances, whereas the exposed legs of ballet depend upon it. Much like Kathak and Bharatnatyam. This further strengthens my case that it's not such a good idea to issue sweeping statements attributing 'facts' based only on contemporaneity. There also has to be a fundamental REASON for things to change, not mere coincidence.

[shiva4ever]

In 'Mail Today' of this date, there is an article about how even the Taj Mahal is built acc to the architectural norms of ancient India, traced back to Harappa itself. And to think that the Brits claimed Italian origins of the Taj! This just goes to show how erroneous it is to 'manufacture' notions based on lazy evaluations of surface skimmings. If straight-leg were such an indicator, then it would be not incorrect to theorize on African/Chinese/Eskimo dance influence on Kathak as well!

[davidaud77]

Ancient indians were into building iwans and minarets? Seems like you're on a crazed mission to attribute greatness to India at any cost!

[shiva4ever]

What are you talking about? Did you even read the article I have referred to, or are you just shooting from the hip? And yes, I feel no embarrassment in giving dues where they belong. I have little value or time for the great fashion of pseudo-intellectualism.

Do yourself a favour and try a little bit of research into the matter being spoken about before you shoot-off your pre-mature oh-so-glib remarks.

[davidaud77]

The only connection I read related to Harappan civilization and Taj Mahal is the unit of measurement.

So if I use Harappan measurement units to create a pizza, ..would that make the pizza indian? I guess so

(throws pizza at shiva4ever)

[shiva4ever]

I suppose pizza-throwing is the net-equivalent of frustrated foot-stomping. Suit yourself. And yes, if you used units of Angul and Vitashti, then you would in a very fundamental way be indebted to the great minds of Harappa. Your choice of using that great system for creating pizzas will however speak about the quality and level of your own mind.

As regarding the Taj-Mahalay theory, I would hesitate to pendulum-swing to the right so far without greater tangible proof.

[davidaud77]

If you insist on being belligerent, you should go get another username. You are dishonoring the name!

[shiva4ever]

Those battling the bulge should not throw pizzas at others! It's easy to dish them out, but taking them is another story, isn't it?

Sorry to disappoint you but much of what I have written is NOT with you in mind. It is my take on how history and 'facts' have often been manufactured. Seeing is believing, and believing is seeing. Better than both is to believe nothing, see everything, and then draw your own conclusions. I don't see why I have to change my name for you to understand that ?

[davidaud77]

if the male wore something less colorful and simple, it would have been better...he would have looked a bit more masculine and contrasted better with the lady....as it is, it seems almost like two women dancing

[shiva4ever]

Maybe THAT's Persian influence on Kathak! Lololol.

[shiva4ever]

And the inspiration for Kathak are the Vedas themselves where Dance id an offering to the Gods, as is common knowledge. Later, Persian motifs formed a part of Kathak as presentation themes, not dance skills, and were meant for the formality of the courts, not ritual representation which had strict norms. To say that modern kathak forms and techniques are derived from Persian influences is hugely incorrect. Where is the evidence of any such high levels of technique in Persian dance ever?

[shiva4ever]

Persia offered thematic novelties to Indian dance, but really had little in terms of dance skill to offer to India. Why must we disbelieve our own ancient treatises on dance when there is no evidence of any highly developed Persian 'dance' EVEN TODAY? Kathak is unique because Indian music is unique. Is there any Persian skill equal to the tabla/sitar? In these areas India exists on a very different plane, just see for yourself! Why discredit living facts in favour of armchair colonial 'history'?

[shiva4ever]

And the guy is really a bit pathetic. Good effort but could have been much better coordinated. Worth a watch......but not a repeat.

[shiva4ever]

Umm, not really sure about the 'Persian' bit and it's straight leg. Kathak was always based heavily on chakkars and leg taals, both of which necessitate straight leg. And the influence in the 16th cent was Mughal, not Persian, and it introduced new themes rather than new techniques. I hope that clears a few misconceptions. Kathak is even accorded pre-historic status by some anthropologists, and its techniques are famously recorded deep down in Indian lit. contemporaneous with the Vedas.

[tanishatanisha]

Modern Kathak does have Persian influence. Mughal empress Noor Jehan was Persian, and she brought a lot of Persian influence into the Mughal court. Early Kathak probably had the demi-plié.

[shiva4ever]

Many things have been attributed to Noor Jehan, like the extraction and use of ruh-gulab, but Kathak has nowhere been mentioned. As for the demi-plie of early Kathak, there were many types of Kathak, as even now. The use of straight leg was more likely an outcome of various factors such as concurrent social norms which disfavoured hip-movements as too sexual in religious/court dance, the increasing development of chakkars, and even the greater use of the lehenga/sari making demi-plie redundant.

[shiva4ever]

Along with the formalised Kathak of 'respectable' venues such as the temple and the court, there were also the folk varieties bearing traits of Chhau. The Kathak that we know now is very largely the result of the strict norms of 17th Century Jaipur and Lucknow gharanas. In Lucknow, such was the degree of refinement that even tawaifs refused to make any movement below the waist as it was deemed un-ladylike! ...continued

[tanishatanisha]

Modern Kathak having Persian influence is a widely accepted part of the canon. I am not sure why you are so determined to not agree, but in any case you should publish your own research with enough evidence so that believers in Persian influence can be corrected.

You mention the factors that shaped modern Kathak. I wonder where they got their inspiration.

Many things have been attributed to Noor Jehan, such as Persian influence in the Mughal court.

[shiva4ever]

Lol, please understand that 'wide acceptance' is overrated. Were it not, then crap such as Aryan Invasion would not stand discredited today. And Noor Jahan's Persian influence does not automatically mean that everything was infused by it. Kathak waas already a highly developed dance way back when the gypsies took it and made the Flamenco. Contrast this with Persian dance on youtube itself and tell me where you see the 'thaats', the 'taraanas', even the musical stimuli for Kathak.

[tanishatanisha]

i certainly see the straight leg though.

[desidancers]

Nicely done...Kathak has its roots in India where these story tellers performed in temples and villages recounting mythological and moral tales from the holy hindu scriptures. Persia influenced kathak only later in the 16th century...

[chondrima]

very good performance.

[jerrytiffy]

Amazing..salute to wonderful dancers like them

[nicholasramsawack]

this was absoluelty beautiful!!! well done!!!

[Ilovekoreayea]

we indian girls love boy from africa.

The are stronger than india boys

[deepthynairns]

Beautful performance!! What a sense of thala!! synchronous to the thabala beats in all respects!! I've learnt a bit of kathak under this great dancer Rajendra Gangani! handles intricate steps with such grace!!

[nsajja]

Excellent. Kathak is a Great Indian Dance form.

[HSMFan20009]

i think the men is GAY

[mirokagogirl]

So what? :x

[shridanyam]

Very nice..Good performance.

I suggest you upload the same in 'Dynamycdesi'.It is a online talent contest site for people.

[aja4079]

i think they both rock

[rannaji]

They are both very competent dancers, but both are guilty of some very sloppy arm movements, dropping their hands and arms and sort of fumbling. I actually think the women has better poise and more of a sense of style. If you are not clear about what I am saying, watch Saswati Sen dance, she always holds her poses, even in a fast tatkar.

[elina2010]

i agree. finally some people with kathak knowledge understands. all i get is a bunch of rude responses and yes their arms are dropping and the guy is lagging.. he is kinda following and looking at her and is a step behind. but they are very good anyways

[bhakti64]

the guy is dancing beautiful.i wonder how they didnt find a better girl than this one. she has no grace and no movement.

[a123vrinda]

i don't see any traditional jaipur gharana techniques in this piece.

[theblissfulflow]

who cares!

[Paulkaaak88]

That is amaizing! I saw Kathak for the first time and must say Im impressed!!!

[SRKBSB]

i wish i cud dance like this some day im now beginning to learn kathak and the basic is so hard to remember, imagine dancing like this.

[ralliroll]

He's supposed Jaipur gharana--why so lucknow? It also seems fixed, this supposedly upaj?

[songlvr1]

The man is so handsome.

[KillinDaWelfareMCs]

Its seams that the Man is a about a 1/4 beat behind the women and they are not in sync.

[sakredfire]

I think the male dancer's the one that's in sync, and the girl is off. I might be wrong...

[theblissfulflow]

definitely you are wrong, you did not even notice that it is on purpose, if they were both doing the same beat, what would be the interest? Tei tei tei tei tei tei tei tei...see my comment on "off beat" which is the basic of good music

[sakredfire]

You must be joking. Maybe you'd have a point if she was dancing on the next beat, but she's dancing BETWEEN beats, which is sloppy. And watching synchronized dancers is definitely more interesting than watching sloppy dancers. Maybe you have a different opinion, but my instincts tell me that puts you in the minority.

[theblissfulflow]

love to be part of a minority!!! For majority is usually the base of the pyramid...

Probably you mean that this dancer is so "sloppy",that it is a shame to dare to show herself dance on utube and that she should rather stay in her kitchen and wash dishes Fortunately, dance is not meant to be enjoyed by so called "connaisseurs" who are unable to enjoy a dance which IS beautiful

[theblissfulflow]

HI you know "off beat" ? There is no rythm without that. In south india my nattuvangam teacher used to call me "usi" because I always liked to use off beat. In jazz and in all good music it is there.If you do not "feel" that, better listen to something else!reminds me of someone who saw my performance on tv and told me I was out of beat cos at some point I was doing 7 beats in a cycle of 9!

[inca1980]

Great!

[ligeiro]

apparently this is the inspiration of Flamenco... very interesting

[Noutchka]

J'étais dans la salle !!! C'était superbe !

[bluffmaster297]

Hey, this was the kind of dancing madhuri dixit learned...awesome!!!

[rdharankar]

Great Dance. Hope to see them compete on DynamycDesi contest

[bintalshamsa]

The footwork here is incredible.

[bollywoodcrazer21]

Wow

[mariamdwa]

Wah re Wah !! Kya baat hai! Laakhon mein ...do!!

[souljagirl8795]

i saw this exact dance at school today!it was about a boy playing with his friends and a ball and the ball gets thrown in the water and he has to fight for the ball from a serpant.i might join kathak.i love their work!

[ashutoshdivedi]

excellent...i love kathak but unfortunately had to leave it much earlier...i hope i can start it once again

[tetrazzini]

wahoo...stunning... Sharmila Sharma is an exellent dancer, and a very kind person.Bravo !!

[du1416710]

this is interesting. i thought ganganiji was jaipur gharana. i don't see any traditional jaipur gharana techniques in this piece.

[gobor7]

i can do this dance, i love kathakkk!

[Mangesh72]

Simply graceful!

[ranaparwandra]

very nice performance..... never seen one live here at Malaysia . . .

[isabelmacedo]

Beautifull, Exelent, i don't have the correct words for the description. Only is a messing

[un4getablefriend]

wow!

[havefun09]

i dont think i can even move my hands that fast. haha. all classical arts of all countries are so beautiful in their own way, and it's interesting to see how they are connected, as in flamenco and kathak. it's a shame to see what's become of today's music scene....but i suppose that it too hold some special characteristic.

[senseish]

I love this video. The dancers are great and movements are beautiful. Does anyone know a good kathak teacher in Northern Virginia, USA?

[satawajirao]

lehar is beautiful...which raag is this?

[danza7odissi]

como se llama la cancion??? alguien me lo puede decir?? pliz!!

[sancharram]

un forma de "Tarana" yo creo

[numofan]

Beautiful! The jugalbandi is quite amazing.

[sanju14]

i agree with parrotmania and pushpanjali. all the classical dance forms from india are unique and special in their own way. Rajendraji and Sharmilaji are 2 of the best kathak dancers in the world. Jaipur gharana is known for its lighting speed movements and footwork. and wht an example, the jugalbandi is absolutely amazin. wht lightness....criticisms will always be there, people are free to give their opinions. so we shouldn't fight over them. neways thx for this amazing video.

[arabiancat]

i am not indian but i think this is really beautiful to watch. i like all traditional dances of the world. but i have to say that i always had deep affections for india.

[parrotmania]

In my opinion no one should take sides between classical dances. did u noe that all 10 major classical dances are different and unique. y should there be a better 1. this is just like fighting over carnatic and hindustani music.the arguement is just going to bring us no where. both systems are different and same in their own ways.honestly thse age old arts should never be prejudiced in my humble opinion-avid supporter of the arts

[pushpanjali]

I agree with parrotmania 100%. I train in both Kathak and Bharatanatyam (my ancestors came from both North & South India) and I love them both equally. I also appreciate all classical Indian dance because they all represent the diversity and beauty of India. To love one is to love them all.

[chutham]

can i get guru deatail, how old is he?

[humbleRaj]

A Master Piece !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[soniiagupta]

hi i'm sonia...finally i found guruji and didi 2u on youtube...

[porltlegothgrl]

i think their footwork is AMAZING

[regalparks]

I could be wrong, but in my opinion it seems like Kathak and other north indian dances have alot of middle eastern/persian influence to it. Whereas bharathnatyam and other south indian dances seem to be more unique in their form and therefore native to india

[fez30756750]

Its true when the persians came to india one of the kinds fell in love with the dance and added persian influences to it, its the only form of classical indian dance that are traditionally hindu and muslim

[unconsciousfocus]

Only Kathaka has persian influence to some extent, the original form of Kathakali still exists. Other Indian classical dances aren't influenced at all, they are pure in their form.

[unconsciousfocus]

Kathak can't be called north Indian, it originates from South-India (not that it matters, just pointing out to Regalparks).

[theblissfulflow]

you are completely mistaken, you probably mean kathakali, a theater dance form from Kerala, but if kathak comes from south india then I come from africa!

[Bellydanceshiva]

lolol!!

[theblissfulflow]

hi Shiva saw ur dance(utube) divine!thank u for answering me but i think u were answering someone else!even though i am a B Natyam dancer (of 57 years old now!) i am rather familiar with kathak (which i regret not to have learned now because the araimandi position of B.N(essential for beauty of basic positions)is killing past a certain age)and i was surprised to get ur very sympathetic (and not pathetic!)reply to me.just shocked by some pretentious critics kisses from Paris what does lolo mean?

[Bellydanceshiva]

Hi the bliss.. I didn't mean any offence if it came out in that way. lol mean laughs out loud. I was laughing at the comment about "if kathak comes from south africa then i come from africa".

I have the greatest respect for both kathak and B.N artists. Such discipline, strength and beauty in your art. I only wish I had started kathak sooner too.

[dolcefico]

Kathak is properly North Indian and has its roots in pre-Islamic times. It is believed that the original dancers were also story tellers--hence the name "Kathak". The major Persian influence is the straightened leg for the basic position as opposed to the demi-plie of other Indian dance forms. Of course, anyone feel free to correct. These two are amazing, even relatively less rigid hands. Their footwork is beautiful and they have amazing stylistic and rhythmic sympathy.

[sakredfire]

finally some good kathak on youtube!

[fez30756750]

Compared to barathnatyam Kathak looks like crazy people spinning in circles

[fakhruzamani]

compared to kathak, just looks like idiots tryin to act out ancient texts while dancin

[jhanvi79]

Wow, seems like your head is spinning out of your control, and so is your computer.......

Both styles are different and one who really loves one particular style should be respecting other styles as well.

Manage your tongue, and go working your dancing moves instead of moving your fingers to type that kind of stuff....

[fez30756750]

i really apologize for writing that i knew nothing of kathak cause i grew up learing barathnatyam but i researched and have seen alot of amazing kathak dancers.

[jhanvi79]

Thanks for apologizes, and please then consider these two dancers as some of the best ones, because they really are more than good and amazing too.

[elina2010]

ive been dancing since i was 4, the piece is good its just that their hands arent the best gee! Have some critisizm

[Lomdri]

What particular dance form U was dance? Do U have any idea about Indian classical dance? About Kathak?

[elina2010]

uh yeah i do kathak. and I've been dancing with proffesionals since I was seven.

[theblissfulflow]

why dont you show us a video showing how it "should " be so that we can all understand!

[elina2010]

eww their hands were floppy, after ten years of experience i have realized that this is pathetic

[jhanvi79]

Pandit Rajendra Kumar Gangani is a renowned Master in India for several decades, and Sharmila Sharma has been dancing professionnally since she is 14.

Now who's Pathetic?

[cherrytree2891]

elina2010, have some respect for people far greater than you. ten years of experience is nothing compared to their years of 'sadhana'. and have you ever heard of different styles of kathak itself?

even i've been learning kathak for several years, tho not of this gharana, and i have gathered enough to not speak beyond my knowledge.

i daresay ur guru wouldn't have called this pathetic....

[PreetiJ2211]

yeah he wud have probably called elina pathetic cuz she dont know shit

[sway431]

If what you say is true, that would make you what? 14...15? With a technical prowess capable of critisizing masters in their art form I dare say its a wonder we have not heard of you before... Where have you been taught? Kathak is not all strong, rigid mudras - there is a degree of flow to many of the pieces - I've seen it over and over. You could critisize "floppy hands" in bharatanatyam, but kathak? The other posters are right, learn some respect - or rather... just learn...

[theblissfulflow]

well said!

[theblissfulflow]

I totally agree with you, and even in Bharata Natyam you get people critisizing styles which do not correspond to their rigid principles, for instance, in certain poses of Padma Subrahmaniam style, it would be horrible to do alapadma with completely streched out fingers, there has to be some type of "abandon" (I dont know if this word can be used in english)in dance, and even in Bharata Natyam, though unfortunately rigidity seems to be a "must" as if anga shuddha meant rigidity

[PreetiJ2211]

if ud had 10 yrs of experience and u criticize them, goz to show u had some shitty 10 yrs of experience, n u knw wat ur pathetic cuz u rnt half as good as them if u were u would be as famous as them and ur not soo i wudnt be talking

[leahcar86]

Beautiful!