Kathak Dancing Classes for Beginners | Level II
Beginner
by Anindita Mukherjee Basu
40 Years Experience
National scholarship in Kathak by CCRT, Govt. of India. Awarded Certificate of Excellence by Dover Lane Music Conference.
US $18 per class |
for 1-on-1, 40 mins class
Recommended: 1 class per week | 12-16 weeks to level up
Pay as you go, 2 classes at a time
You can choose your time slots in the next step. ipassio has thousands of happy learners from the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Europe, UAE, and India.
Instruction Language
: English, Bengali
Course Summary
This is an OnliVe (online + live), 1-on-1, level two beginner course for those who are interested in picking up the basics of Kathak from scratch. Held by Kathak dance expert Anindita Mukherjee Basu, the students will learn Kathak - one of the eight famous classical dance forms of India. This is a beginner course that helps students graduate from being amateur Kathak aspirants to reach and attain the intermediate student level. Students completing this beginner course will be able to perform the basics in front of an audience after regular practice and learning with commitment. This level two beginner course includes detailed Kathak concepts through Nritya - Nritta - Natya. It is a necessary prerequisite for the enrolled students to complete level one of the same course.
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Teacher's Profile
Teacher Skill Keywords
Kathak, Rabindra Sangeet
Education
Specialization in Kathak from Kalashram, under the guidance of Vidushi Mamta Maharaj
Scholarship in Dance Kathak from Centre For Cultural Resources and Training
Sangit Prabhakar in Kathak from Prayag Sangit Samity, Allahabad
Sangit Visharad in Kathak from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh
Sangit Visharad in Bharatnatyam from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh
Mahopadhyay in Kathak from Trailokya Sangit Parishad, Kolkata
Sangit Prabhakar in Rabindra Sangeet (vocal) from Prayag Sangit Samity, Allahabad
Diploma in Special Education-Mentally Retardation from National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH)
Bachelor of Arts in Bengali Language from University of Calcutta
Work Details
Co-Founder, Principal - Devdhwani- A Professional Dance School
Dance Teacher - Deewan Public School, Meerut, U.P.
Dance Teacher - Kidyzone School
About the Course
In this level two beginner Kathak course that will span for over 24 weeks, the enrolled beginner students would work on those aspects of Kathak that will include rhythmic footwork, use of hand gestures, and understanding body postures. As a part of this course, the students would also be given an introduction to “Natya” so that they can be aware of what to expect from further study of the art. Also known as Prarambhik, this course will be held once a week for a duration of 40 mins and here's what the students will be learning out of it:
Guru Vandana: The students express their gratitude towards the teacher or Guru.
Stuti: The students express their gratitude to the Gods and Goddesses. It includes Saraswati Stuti and Natraj Stuti.
Angshuddhi: Purification or perfection of body parts.
Chaal: Foot positions and footwork like Taran, Palta, Parshwa Chalan, Sammukh Chalan, Pashchad Chalan, etc. through Flat feet, Toes, Heels, and Soles
Hastak: it shows how to use both hands and legs movements together.. This will be extremely useful to progress in this course. It includes Hastachakra – the different circular movements of hands
Bhramari: The spins, circles or turns named Sada Chakkar, Pawan Chakkar, Jal Chakkar, Ardha Chakkar etc
Taal Parichay: Meaning and definitions of Taal – to write and to recite the Theka and footwork of following Taals (Teentaal, Jhap taal)
Bole: The syllables of dance
Thaat: the stylized moves ended with a statuesque pose which is performed at the starting of Kathak
Namaskaar / Rangmanch ka Tukra: To greet or salute with respect and humility
Aamad: Means to enter into the stage, it’s also called Rangmach Pravesh
Toda: the rhythmic compositions in different Laya, it includes Sada Toda, Primlu Toda, Chakkardar Toda.
Kavit: The poetic compositions with body movements and gestures to decode the meaning of the poetry.
Tihai: It is a polyrhythmic technique to conclude a piece of bole. It includes Damdar Tihai and Bedamdar Tihai.
Tatkaar: This means footwork which is the abstract, fast and rhythmic aspect of Kathak which requires vigorous practice.
Gat Nikas: Dancing in a particular posture of kathak with chaal (walk).It includes Anchita-Kunchita (expand and compress), Bansuri (flute), Drishti (look).
Asamyukta Hastamudra: The single hand gesture used for communication.
Musical instruments used in Kathak
About the instructor: Anindita Mukherjee Basu has more than 40 years of experience in the field of Kathak as a confident dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She is a dedicated teacher, an energetic dancer, and an innovative choreographer with deep theoretical knowledge of Kathak dance and Music. She has received training in Kathak from dance veterans like Pandit Shree Sandip Dev, Guru Smt. Jayanti Mukherjee, Guru Smt. Manjulika Roy Chowdhury, Guru Smt. Bela Arnab, Guru Smt. Rubi Bandopadhyay, Dr. Malabika Mitra, and in Rabindra Nritya from Guru Smt. Rajrupa Deb. Anindita has won many awards and accolades, some of which include the national scholarship in Kathak by CCRT (Centre for Cultural Resources and Training in 1985. She has a renowned background at work as she has worked as an artist of Doordarshan Kendra Kolkata since 1984, has been an examiner of Sarba Bharatiya Sangeet -O- Sanskriti Parishad and is currently running DEVDHWANI – A Professional Dance School at Ghaziabad and Kolkata.
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This dance form has several benefits. Especially learning Kathak from early childhood becomes extremely useful in later years of life. It helps to strengthen muscles, make the mind and body strong from very formative ages which is essential in the growing phases of a child. It makes the child self-disciplined, they learn the virtue of teamwork, self-discipline. Apart from that as these dance form needs quite a long time to learn it helps them to even build a career as they grow older. Although any dance or art cannot be limited to ages, learning it during childhood is more beneficial because of the time they get to completely become an expert. For adults also to learn it goes for a great dance form to opt for.
1. Kathak makes you physically strong
This makes the lower portion of the body strong; hand muscles and chest also get their proper exercise. According to many studies, even the eye muscles, neck region, torso part get their proper exercises while giving the expressions or while practicing them. This dance form does not allow you to gain your body weight and keeps your body fit and muscles flexible. It also keeps the body toned and increases stamina to perform.
2. Kathak helps you in better body balance through learning footwork
Learning of classical dances like Kathak helps in doing foot-works which are mostly done in various rhythms and laya. Learning of these foot-works makes the dance look more graceful and neat.
3. Kathak increases your ability to focus
Learning this dance form helps to increase focus and concentration. This dance is full of nuanced movements of the foot, eyes, hands, and face. It requires a high degree of focus to learn these nuances. Regular practice needs a very high degree of focus which improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Learning Kathak helps to improve your expressions
In order to dance one also needs to put the exact expressions in the exact places. Expressions make the dance look more vibrant and graceful. The communication of each and every move in Kathak is made more meaningful by giving proper expressions of happiness, sadness, and so on. Learning of expressions is one of the most important reasons for learning Kathak.
5. Learning Hasta Mudras improves hand movements
Learning of Mudras in Kathak is also one benefit to the dancer. This dance includes the learning of both Samyukta and Asamyukta hastas or mudras. Various mudras represent various objects to communicate easily.
6. Kathak helps in overcoming the stage fear
One of the major benefits of learning Kathak is that it gives you the opportunity to perform on a stage. The dance is performed at various shows in a professional manner. By performing it in front of a large audience alleviates your stage fear. It makes you confident and gives you conviction about your own abilities.
7. Kathak helps to learn Indian Culture and Heritage
This dance form helps to represent the art and culture of India and helps it in carrying forward. Kathak dance form which started to spread as a dance of storytelling of mythological anecdotes helps us to represent the rich culture and heritage of India. This dance form represents the stories of Mahabharata and the Ramayana. These were particularly spread by the bards or the storytellers who were termed as Kathakars.
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For the level two Beginner course, Prarambhik students should be able to perform Bhumi Pranam, Natyakram Shloka, Guru Stuti, Pada Bikshep, Hastakas, open as well as close feet Tatkaar in Teen Taal, Dadra Taal and Keherwa Taal, Thaat, Namaskaar, Aamad, Toda, Kavitta, Tihai and also have an idea of Sam, Taali, Khali, Vibhag, Matra, Avartan, Theka, Taal, Laya. It is a necessary prerequisite for them to complete level one of the same course.
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Available For All Age-Groups
176 Online live sessions completed
Our teachers recommend customized classes for an effective learning experience. Here's why!
Every individual
Has a unique learning style
Is at a different learning stage
Has different strength and flexibility
Has a different caliber to understand and replicate steps
Has different mind-hand coordination
And a different GOAL!
Available For All Age-Groups
176 Online live sessions completed
Our teachers recommend customized classes for an effective learning experience. Here's why!
Every individual
Has a unique learning style
Is at a different learning stage
Has different strength and flexibility
Has a different caliber to understand and replicate steps
Has different mind-hand coordination
And a different GOAL!
What you get?
World-class masters as teachers
Personalized & Interactive 1-on-1 classes
Course studio that amplifies passion learning
Access to global creative community
Pay as you go - 2 classes at a time
Milestone-based learning for best results
Statement of Accomplishment
Teacher's performance bits for reference
World-class masters as teachers
Personalized & Interactive 1-on-1 classes
Course studio that amplifies passion learning
Access to global creative community
Pay as you go - 2 classes at a time
Milestone-based learning for best results
Statement of Accomplishment
Teacher's performance bits for reference
FAQs
Additional Resources
What Makes ipassio Your Best Fit?
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From the comfort of your home, 1 on 1 online interactive classes are scheduled at your convenient time.
World class performers as educators
Award-winning teachers customize the course just for you. Their structured learning methodology lets you always track your progress.
Pay as you go
No long-term commitment. Pay for as few as 2 classes at a time. When you can't make it for the class, you can mutually reschedule with ease.