Dhamar : a technical piece of Kathak

[asha1053]

just exquisite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[harsheys007]

im a kathak dancer, and i really do know how hard this is to do, i've done similar things. but from personal experience i can say, that tho its challenging to dance at such speed, in the end, dance is about what looks nice. as a dancer, it's our job to make difficult things look easy, and she does that, but from a viewer standpoint, it can look a little daunting. but i know how hard this is and i really love her for her work and riyaz

[zerulccioh9]

Eso es el origen del baile flamenco!! Ole que bien bailao!!

[cooldiva62]

@zerulccioh9 you are right this is the origin of flamenco!! yeah!! 

[nadndlan]

4udesna horeografiq

[angelialvares]

she's a real dancing doll! It's hard to throw in all those frenzied hand movements and make them look elegant but she succeeds in making the movements look graceful.

Sometimes I wish though that Kathak would evolve and incorporate subtle slow movements to add an extra dimension to the dance form. Her spins are beautiful to watch

[shriji1379]

awesome

[amithji]

Excellent, love the video and the dance!

[simplicitykitty]

first of all i have pretty good knowledge of flamenco and this is nothing like it. my critique is more about kathak in general rather than this dancer who is obvioiusly very talented. the dance itself seems SO spastic, breaik-neck speed and sometimes like she's doing martial arts instead of a delicate, refined dance. i know y'all will not like my comments, too bad. look at 'schachlo's dance from central asia - grace, beauty and elegance the way dance should be. this sucks

[rannajim]

Kathak dance was formulated and codified hundreds of years ago and was considered a classical art form in India long before there was any known dance forms in Europe. Kathak is the mother of Flamenco. Most flamenco experts are astounded at how much of Kathak elements is still evident in Flamenco today. Soft gentle flowing movements and fast stocato movements are all part of the tradition. Do some research into the dance form before you criticize, you come accross as arrogant and ignorant.

[OuiJeSuisBien]

well, not really the mother of flamence, but, yes, they are very similar. Actually, kathak and flamenco were both influenced by arab culture when the arabs invaded india and spain respectively. But, yes, kathak is an iconic dance. I love it, I have been doing Kathak since the age of 5 :)

[rannajim]

The strongest influence and change in Kathak came from the Islamic invasion from Persia under the Mughals. The Arabs appeared on the scene centuries later. Kathak was already consolidated long before the Moors invaded Spain. The gypsies brought their Kathak influenced flamenco into Spain around the 16th Century. The Flamenco singing however is stronly influenced by Arabic music. However Arab influence can be seen in Rajesthani dance which has a lot of belly dance moves and influenced bollywood.

[prettypinky100]

@rannajim MUGHALS CAME TO INDIA FROM SAMARKHAND IN CENTRAL ASIA NOT PERSIA .THE NAWABS OF OUDH TOOK THIS INDIAN TEMPLE DANCE KATHAK TO THEIR KOTHAS .AS FOR BELLY DANCING IT WAS TAKEN BY THE RAJASTHANI GYPSIES TO ARABIA .NOT VICE VERSA .

[rannajim]

@prettypinky100 no need to shout. Using all Capitals will not make your statement any less true. I have been studying this subject now for sometime and none of what I have been reading is supported in your remarks. Yes, Mughals originated in Samarkand as the Mongols, but set up a Royal Court in Persia and were well established there before invading India. Ancient Egyptians did belly dancing and their are wall carvings to show that.

[rannajim]

@prettypinky100 From the 11th century until the 15 century there were 13 invasions into India by Arab armies. It is all chronicles by the Mughals themselves. The Turks invaded 6 different times. I think you need to read up a bit more about this history. Mughal style Kathak was well established in India before the Nawab of Oud took an interest . History of the Gypsies is fascinating. But please read up more before posting erroneous opinions.

[prettypinky100]

@rannajim I AM AN INDIAN HISTORY STUDENT .AFGHANS ,TURKS PERSIANS ,MUGHALS INVADED INDIA BUT NEVER ARABS .IF EGYPTIANS DID BELLY DANCING WHY CANT IT GO FROM THE GYPSIES OF RAJASTHAN .INDIA IS 10000 YEAR OLD CIVILIZATION.

[rannajim]

@prettypinky100 areh pinky aap kutch nahin jaante hain. Read Akbar's Shah Nama, read a history of the Urdu Language and how so many Arabic words came into the language. If you are a student of Indian History then I think you must be asleep most of the time in class. Also google the history of Bellydance. Now it is not my duty to educate you, so please do not reply to this post, and I will not respond to you again.

[prettypinky100]

@rannajim I SAID ARABS NEVER INVADED INDIA .THAT DOES NOT MEAN ARABS NEVER CAME TO INDIA IN ANY OTHER WAY .BELLY DANCING ORIGINATED IN INDIA IT IS A FACT BUT DEVELOPED INTO AN ARTFORM IN EGYPT .WHY CANT A PESON CARRY ON A DECENT CONVERSATION WITHOUT BEING RUDE .STRANGE.ANYWAY GOOD LUCK .

[cooldiva62]

@prettypinky100 umm actually belly dancing came mid east and african!1 it was performed usually mainly by african and mid eastern people\

[quazarstar12]

@rannajim

You dumb ass who wants to get educated fucking Arab scrap. We are Hindustani and we are not Arab slaves and learn fucking Arab scrap.

India is Sanskrit culture and not Arab culture.  Goto Saudi Arabia and join Join Jihad.

[VishwaProtimBanerjee]

@quazarstar12

Who said this is an "Arab culture"! I wonder u know even a bit of Indian Culture..Kathak has been a north Indian ritualistic holy temple dance from time immemorial, and one thing more ... Kathak is associated to Lord Vishnu(Krishna) as other south Indian classical dances(mainly Bharatnatyam) are to Lord Shiva....

Just because of the Muslims influenced the dress of Kathak(changing it from sari to this one) doesn't mean it is "ARAB DANCE" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[prettypinky100]

@rannajim I AM ALSO A KATHAK DANCER WHO DID HER BASIC 6 YEAR COURSE IN INDIA .THERE ARE SEVERAL GHARANAS IN KATHAK .I NEVER HEARD OF MUGHALS DOING ANYTHING FOR KATHAK .BUT LUCKNOW GHARANA IS WELL KNOWN .I ALWAYS WRITE IN CAPITAL LETTERS .I AM SORRY IF I HAVE INSULTED U IN ANYWAY .

[prettypinky100]

@OuiJeSuisBien ARABS NEVER INVADED INDIA .MUSLIM INVADERS CAMETO INDIA FROM CENTRAL ASIA .BELLY DANCING WAS TAKEN TO ARABIA BY THE GYPSIES OF INDIA .SIMILARLY FLAMENCO WAS INFLUENCED BY KATHAK DANCE OF INDIA .

[simplicitykitty]

'you're so ignorant'?? WH heck? are you some kind of pro? haven't seen you at carnegie hall or anything. I still maintain this dance is extremely hyper, albeit the dancer is highly controlled - i just don't like it... what a freakin' control freak - the internet is for freedom of speech - go back under rock loser

[symfotroll]

I think the little 14 year old lady is trying to show off. I enjoy flamenco dancing from Andalucia , Spain and when I watch this lovely Kathak dancer move I can see where all the movements in flamenco dance came from. It is really interesting.

[neerajamb]

She's gorgeous!

[xNymphetamynexGurlx]

I can't stop watching this.

[AgentKrys007]

She stinks. Her hand movements are too floppy and her neck jerks. She has no grace. And I would know what I'm talking about. I have been dancing since I was 3 and I took 6 years of kathak and I'm taking my 6th year of bollywood.

[jhanvi79]

Not linking something and insulting people are two different things.

Please mind your words.

[ohimechan]

and she has been dancing kathak since her 3 years old as well... considering she is 40...

[pcock]

It's a shame to read comments such as this, I hope AgentKrys007 will find a guru that would teach her

1. That this is Jaipur style Kathak, sharp cuts and all sum terminates with a jerk.

2. To go learn Abhinaya Dharpana and Natya Shastra.

3. And (most importantly), never critisise another dancer.

I don't have to tell to some of the viewers here that Sharmila-ji is an excellent performer and to watch her performance with Guruji doing is mind blowing.

[AgentKrys007]

Yeah see I don't need to learn Kathak. And I know what it is. I'm desi. I'm 14 and I've been dancing for 12 years. Kathak for 5, Bollywood for 7. And I go to the best dance academy in the south. No, Not Aria's Academy (that's north run), but Kruti Dance Academy. It's a sold out show across five states. People wait in line at 2 am to buy tickets. I'm pretty sure I can judge a dancer. And she was crap. Yeah. That's how good I've seen people do kathak.

[BharathaDancer]

don't get arrogant, that is not nice.

[jhanvi79]

Once more please mind your words.

Consider working on your behaviour before judging others. Work on your style and show us how good you are at being the best kathak dancer over here.

But one advice : you'd better be working hard!

[BharathaDancer]

the 'don't critecize another dancer'... I find that it is in the nature of the art to critecize performances, if no one does so how would one know what your doing wrong?? no matter how great a dancer is, they will do something wrong.... this is a great performance though, and although i have not learnt the art myself, i have a great love for it, bourne of watching many of my friends perform....

[riankita]

AgentKrys007 you said you r 14? no wonder you comment like this. i'm pretty sure after five years you will know how to behave and regret your arrogance. Bollywood jatkas and classical dance is not same.this is not your kind of dance dont watch them .

[khanputtur]

Nice performance

I suggest you to upload this video in dynamycdesi as well.this is a website to encourage talents like this.

Nayaz  Khan

[tuffbooglove]

i have noticed she does a lot of work with her arms and hands. Different from the Hawaiians. i wish i new what she had been saying. But putting it all together it sounds very poetic. Again her wardrobe is very rich and full of gold and maroon. Its stunning!

[ohimechan]

she is singing the rhythm she is to dance upon

[nadiababygirl]

That is freaking awesome!

[kjerrynbunny]

Hi Sharmila, I am Kshitij Malik from New York.

I started learning Kathak from my Guru Dr. Madhukar Anand. I have lost my grace and that poise in my dance which I had when I was in India as I haven't got any chance to dance like that over here. Would really like to see more of your compositions.

[theblissfulflow]

Dear Sharmilla,

I am very happy to see you on utube, I had forgotten how beautiful your dance is because I had not seen you for a long time, such dynamism grace and perfection.

It makes me want to start moving my body again with you!

We met recently, (at Zakir's programm maybe?)

Namaskar and kisses (from florence vasanta)

[naaz2011]

wow!! she is doing a great job, she is da best kathak dancer i've ever seen.

[absolutlav]

ms 13 yrs old senior advanced madam... i think as a indian classical dancer, u shud learn to be humble b4 commenting on others... and ms myusernameforyoutube, kathak's movements are way far different from barathanatyam.. barathanatyam movements are much more firm wid arammandi and strong natyarambai postures, whereas kathak's steps are feminine, dainty yet wid the attitude, which is amazingly portrayed by Mdm Sharmila sharma

[Radhikadas]

Esta es la danza que mas adoro y que llevo siempre en mi corazon a donde quiera que voy. Jay Radhe !

[cherrytree2891]

its a beautiful piece of kathak. all those who call this floppy, or inexperienced, i ask you to reconsider.

she may not be the best kathak dancer in the world, but look at the way she impeccably keeps to the laya. and the tatkara.... there's not one beat from her foot that goes amiss.

and these fast pieces are what the jaipur gharana is identified by.

so please, just think a bit before you criticise

[Kaddu27]

I'm a beginner Kathak dancer, and I honestly hope one day I'll be able to do that.

[dancingnikitacompany]

Being an advanced level Kathak student and having observed many Kathak dancers at all stages, i feel this dancer is trying very hard. However, it is not refined and polished as someone else mentioned. Her padhant is also unclear at times.

She needs to work on her finishings (sums), and overall adding more clarity and precision to her movements.

This is a very deep form of art, and its up to oneself how deep they want to go into it.

[jhanvi79]

Maybe the you could show one of your performances on youtube, and let people decide how "refined and polished" YOU are?

[dancingnikitacompany]

Surely people put their videos on here so that people can make comments. Like other people on here, i was only given a critical opinion. I am sure none of us want to personally offend anybody. :)

[Anuva7]

I have seen your videos...I believe you know what you're talking about.

[jayasabir]

true, I am in senior advanced [only 13] and i feel that it looks she is trying to hard. and her hand movements are very sloppy, they should be more firm, she should also finish her movements as she keeps going, she tends to stop half way.

[theblissfulflow]

I don't understand your criticism, this dancer has all the qualities required: grace, laya, expression, dynamism,involvment ,She is a top artist, and I am not sure I would say the same about you if I saw your dance. Anyway this is very enjoyable Some people may not have "floppy" hands as you say and be totally stiff and without emotion. What counts is the feeling one experiences while seeing the dance and in this case it is surely a feeling of happiness

[meenakumari362]

Why don't you show us?

[AksheeShadow]

I dunn knw much about kathak but wat all i have seen so far d ends of the actions and steps have to be crisp.They r just so perfect which i didnt find in dis act. She is doing is fast n rhythemically no doubt but I found it clumsy

[myusername4tube]

yeah, i agree. i dont know much about kathak, i take bharat natyam, and that too for only a few years, but i'm thinking that her hands are a bit flimsy, and not controlled. but that's just me.

[sholayisme2]

wow shes really good! couldnt take my eyes of her...

[Paro38]

oh my god ! you feel music. music is present in all your body...its so beautiful..

YOU DANCE VERY VERY WELL

[branajoy]

I am really sorry to say. This is real bad dancing.

[tazzy191]

and why do u say that? i think that was gorgeous=)

[truekathaka]

These comments show how poorly educated people are today about Kathak. A true Kathak dancer understands the depth & subtleties of the Indian classical system. Dhamar is a unique taal done in vilambit laya to invoke the heavy feeling of Ganapati. She is doing Dhamar in madhya laya & then labeling it as a technical piece?! If musicians don't speak out, Kathak will continue to be diluted in this manner.

[truekathaka]

Also, anyone can perform fast items pre-rehearsed. Intermediate students are doing that! Where is the upaj & spontaneity, the heart and soul of Kathak that warrants someone to be a professional? I implore musicians & dancers to have a dialogue on this.

[truekathaka]

Also, anyone can perform fast items pre-rehearsed. Intermediate students are doing that! Where is the upaj & spontaneity that warrants someone as professional? I implore musicians & dancers to have a dialogue on this.

[Helioskali]

Okay I totally, get what your saying, but your making a form of art seem like a military act. What your idea of high art may not be a valid assumption of everyones understanding of art. I will admit I am not an expert on Kathak, but I believe it is important to realize that art does not have to be followed to a tee. For example, many people see rap as a form of high are, while others see it as low art.

[Helioskali]

My point is this is the way Ms. Sharma presents this art form, at least she's doing something and dancing what I hope she and others enjoy

[truekathaka]

Thank you for your reply. Whilst I have an enormous amount of appreciation for rap, you just cannot compare it to a CLASSICAL tradition. There is a very complex system that you cant just ignore and do whatever you want. This is not militaristic - its a common misconception about classical art. There is a VAST area for creating, innovating, and making your own art WITHIN that system. All Indian musicians know this, but dancers are getting away with shortcuts because of its visual appeal.

[Helioskali]

Okay, I still follow what you're saying. I will admit you make sense. I still think you're judging her harshy though. I mean, she does dance well.

[sakredfire]

She does, but there are criteria to follow. Its like ballet. Its not breakdancing...or even bhangra (which is a folk tradition). This is a high art that demands refinement and perfection...at least to an Indian's eyes.

[Helioskali]

I still fail to see the validation for your point. Even if its not break dancing or bhangra, why must you rip her style apart. I'm afraid to say that your criticism is not constructive. Its just plain harsh. And such criticism is both harsh and cruel, especially if you aren't suggesting any good suggestions just criticism. At least thats what I understand from your argument. And even if I am not Indian (I am Indian)it does not mean that I can't see beauty and refinement in Kathak.

[sakredfire]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply non-indians can't appreciate kathak...on the contrary a high artform should have universal appeal. I just meant that people familiar with the artform (including but not limited to indians that have been exposed to it) are more likely to be demanding in their critique of it.

[theblissfulflow]

how can you say breakdancing is to ballet what she is to kathak. You may not like this style, i have learned B Natyam and there are schools which I dont like which I find to stiff and which are considered a reference for some people, I think it is just a matter of taste.

[slalloo]

I agree, its just a matter of taste. Bharath Natyam is more figurative while kathak is more complex with timing. I prefer Kathak

[pushpanjali]

i learn both Bharatanatyam and Kathak. Both styles are complex with timing and also figurative as well. everyone has their own personal preferences but when it comes to classical indian dance i wouldn't say one style is more "complex" or "difficult" than another.

[hetgroenegif]

wah, wah! Awesome performance!

[Qtchic1118]

get OUT OF HERE! she's amazing. i'm about to drop out of my Kathak class if that's what's expected.

[shudeshi]

Vaa Vaa...shabaash!!! that was just wonderful' never seen anyone move so fast in kathak

[shakshigopal]

great movements in her fast lay

[Sundar333]

Amazing!!! perfect dance....

[budgiebudgielover]

She came to winnipeg for Folklorama! No wonder why I regonized the name!

[hetgroenegif]

amazing

[skyi09]

wow..neva seen nefink like it..

[payeltheboss]

beautiful!

[Rajahan]

very fast, hands were like a blur...Nice performance!

[3dpr]

can anyone guide me to some place I can download kathak music.need it for practice.

thanks.

[sanju14]

her hands look a fast because she is doing every tukra at a really fast speed. it is difficult to get these tukra right in the normal speed but she gets them right even at tht speed. its amazing. she might be a bit out of time with some but most of it is amazing and her hands i think need to move at tht speed to keep with the laya. i dont think i can move my wrists tht quickly....

[dancingnikitacompany]

Wow, look closely at her feet while she's spinning around 2mins into the piece..

[SairaBX]

i never said i hated it, so can everyone just chill out!

[parrotmania]

Ms/mr saira...i read ur comments on the dance and i would like to know ur position to critique.thank you,

[SairaBX]

personal opinion...that's all

[pushpanjali]

Thanks for saying that Eucaruby. Sharmila wouldn't be so well known if she wasn't amazing.

[Ecuaruby]

Saira is probably not familar with Kathak dance, so that is why she/he thinks her hand movements are out of of control. They should realise it takes much practice and experience to execute such movements.

She is an accomplished dancer who teaches Kathak in France and I think India. But everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[SairaBX]

as opposed to what this GeGe2BB has said, and this Ecuaruby...i know kathak. i'm not comparing it to bharatnatym at all...all i'm saying is that her hands don't seduce. hey, they way i was taught was that the hands seduce and the ghungroo entice. just because she is well known doesn't mean she's the best. i don't hate her, just wasn't fond of this piece.

[sujeet787]

I actually agree with Saira to an extent. I suspect that the 14 beat movements are too fast to notice the intricate detail of the hands, and hence may seem out of control. One can also theorize that we are watching a video which is in 2d. I'm sure this performance would be appreciated a lot more if once actually witnessed it. A perception of depth greatly changes your view on the fast hand movements. Nevertheless, entertaining.

[SairaBX]

her hands are out of control...she has no stability to her work

[Gege2BB]

oh really?

I'd rather say your hands are so, as you can type that hell of a nonsense

[streetthug1990]

@Gege2BB Lmfaaaoooo !!!!!

[khalidz1000]

@Gege2BB hahah! well said!

On a separate note, it's quite difficult to find Sharmila Sharma's videos. Considering the few that are up have been uploaded by you, please see if you can find others that you can put up for the Youtube audience. Would be much obliged. Thank you.

[yobonito83]

i know what you mean, but i think it's the style of dance. Bharathanatyam has a lot more strict hand movements which makes it looks really suave. In this style i think the hands are very fluid and don't have such strict moves...it gives the illution of it being out of control, but it's not.

[SairaBX]

as opposed to what this GeGe2BB has said, and this Ecuaruby...i know kathak. i'm not comparing it to bharatnatym at all...all i'm saying is that her hands don't seduce. hey, they way i was taught was that the hands seduce and the ghungroo entice. just because she is well known doesn't mean she's the best. i don't hate her, just wasn't fond of this piece.

[pdgray668]

I agree with you and understand exactly what you're saying... I think her hands don't look so flexible and open, so they don't look graceful. It's a little awkward looking. I'm sure it's a great technical piece, but I'm not a fan of her style and presentation.

[ohimechan]

I understand that you might think so. But 2-D is really not flattering her dance (which is not an excuse,all others kathak dancers on youtube are in 2-D! but she does have flowing hands).She teaches us to have clear and flexible hands,not too crisp and not too loose,and seeing her live is way different.She's not the best dancer in the world, but who can pretend to this title?Considering someone no1 is entwined with ur subjective appreciation.

She can shake your heart with her delicate abhinaya!

[naina1231]

@SairaBX her hands are what its SUPPOSED to look like you dumbass. she's incredible.

[naina1231]

@SairaBX her hands are what its SUPPOSED to look like you dumbass. she's incredible.

[SairaBX]

@naina1231

there's no need to be so rude. you're not the only dancer here

[Ecuaruby]

Beautfiul! I love her outfit and her hand gestures, which are amazingly swift and quick. Awesome, thanks for posting.

[kathak86]

shukrya for this videos!!

[kewlade719]

she's got flexable wrists--that's for sure!

[ccmerope]

holy holy lord!!!! shes talented....i wish Bollywood would do more of this

[pushpanjali]

She leaves me speechless. She is so fast and fluid. Amazing, please post more.