View source for Krishna legends in Kathak

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[[File:Sharmila Sharma et Rajendra Kumar Gangani 2.jpg|thumb|Kathak performance by Sharmila Sharma and Rajendra Kumar Gangani at the Guimet Museum (November 2007)]]
[[Kathak]] is a forms of [[Indian classical dance]]. The dance style in its formative phase was inseparably linked with Krishna legend.<ref>{{cite web|title=KATHAK KENDRA: National Institute of Kathak Dance|url=http://www.kathakkendra.org/otherproductions.html|accessdate=29 September 2014}}</ref> The word Kathak comes from the word ''katha'' which means "story".<ref>{{cite web|title=What is Kathak Dance?|url=http://www.kathak.org/site/kathak/section.php?id=4176|accessdate=29 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203191422/http://www.kathak.org/site/kathak/section.php?id=4176|archive-date=3 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== History ==
{{More citations needed section|date=September 2014}}
[[Kathak]] has been closely associated with Krishna's legends. The earliest mention of Kathak as an art form is found in the ''Arjuna-Vanavasa'' chapter of the ''Aadi-Parva'' of [[Mahabharata]]. In its initial phase, Kathak is regarded to have been a mimetic representation of Puranic literature accompanied with dance. Kathakas were ''Granthikas'' reciting stories related to [[Vishnu]]. When Krishna was identified with Vishnu, Granthikas began narrating Krishna-based stories. During this time, a rich musical theater form had grown out of the rich Krishna theater tradition of [[Mathura]] region. It is believed that ''Katha-Vachan'', the earliest form of Kathak was exclusively based on Krishna's legend. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}}

== Forms of Krishna bhakti ==

The [[bhakti]] centering on Krishna is of two forms:

* ''Kanta bhava'' or worship of Krishna and [[Rukmini]].
* ''Madhura bhava'' or worship of Krishna and [[Radha]].

The concept of madhura bhakti where Lord is the "Supreme lover" gained popularity amongst the worshipers of Krishna. The most notable compositions are of the ''Ashtachhapkars''. They were eight poets and the followers of [[Vallabhacharya]] and Vithalnath named as [[Surdas]], Kumbhandas, Nandadas, Parmanandadas, Chaturbhujdas, Krishnadas, Govindswami and Chitswami. These poets produced a wealth of lyrical songs narrating the various episodes of Krishna's life with special emphasis on madhura bhava.

Kathak dancers liberally use these songs in their recitals. Krishna's childhood pranks, depicted by Surdas were the epitome of ''Vatsalyarasa''. Even while depicting shringar [[rasa (aesthetics)|rasa]] {{ndash}} madhura bhava, Krishna legend is shown with many splendored hues and colours. The amorous dalliance of the symbolic lovers Krishna and Radha is the meeting of [[Jeevatma]] with [[Parmatma]]. The outpourings of these saint-poets form an integral part of a Kathak dancer's repertoire.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Massey|first1=Reginald|title=India's kathak dance, past present, future|date=1999|publisher=Abhinav Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=8170173744}}</ref>

== Themes ==
The Krishna theme in kathak may be one of these:

* ''Gat Nikas'' {{mdash}} these depict simple stories. In ''Gat Bhava'' dancer portrays two or more characters with a half-turn. This role playing is generalized under various gats like makhan chori, paniya bharan, chedchad, ghungat (veil), murli (flute), matki (pot), etc. where Krishna is symbolized by murli or crown and Radha by ghungat or matki.
* ''Kavita'' {{mdash}} These are poems set in rhythmic cycle narrating mythological episodes like kaliya, govardhan lila, etc. where the Dancer expresses the words of the kavita with appropriate hand gestures and symbols.
* ''Thumri'' {{mdash}} These are semi-classical music compositions exhaustively covering the entire gamut of emotions, situations, expressions and episodes of Krishna legends. A thumri may showcase love of Krishna and Radha depicting them together on a swing or in a boat or playing rasa or highlight their anxiety and distress during the period of separation. Thumri highlights the prowess of a Kathak dancer and are dealt with a lot of subtlety.

It is said that when Krishna danced his divine dance on the hood of the defeated serpent Kaliya, various mnemonic sounds emanated from Krishna's feet like Ta, Thai, Tat, etc. which formed the building blocks of Kathak. Krishna is also known as "Natwar", hence these sounds came to be known as Natwari.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kothari|first1=Sunil|title=Kathak, Indian classical dance art|date=1989|publisher=Abhinav Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=8170172233|edition=1. publ. in India.}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Kuchipudi]]
* [[Bharatanatyam]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{cite web|title=Krishna at close quarters|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/krishna-at-close-quarters.html|accessdate=29 September 2014}}

[[Category:Krishna]]
[[Category:Indian culture]]
[[Category:Indian traditions]]
[[Category:Kathak]]