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Summary

Lakshmi Vishwanathan, a Kathak dancer and teacher, discusses the art form of Kathak and her journey in the dance field. Kathak is a Hindustani dance form that is based on Hindustani music. There are different Gharanas (lineages) in Kathak, including Jaipur, Lucknow, Banaras, and Raigarh, each with its own signature style. The Jaipur Gharana is known for its vigorous footwork, while the Lucknow Gharana focuses more on abhinaya (expressions) and femininity. Kathak is a blend of Hindu and Muslim cultures, and it evolved as a storytelling tradition. Lakshmi emphasizes the importance of rhythm and body movement in Kathak, and she aims to make the dance form more accessible and inclusive. Lakshmi Vishwanathan, a Kathak dancer and teacher, shares her experience and insights in this podcast. She emphasizes the importance of rhythm in Kathak and how she instills it in her students. She discusses the differences between being a teacher and a performer, highlighting the importance of understanding and nurturing the relationship with dance. Lakshmi also talks about the challenges of balancing tradition and creativity in classical art forms. She shares her future goals and aspirations, emphasizing the importance of taking one step at a time.

Keywords

Kathak, Hindustani dance form, Gharanas, Jaipur Gharana, Lucknow Gharana, Banaras Gharana, Raigarh Gharana, storytelling tradition, blend of Hindu and Muslim cultures, rhythm, body movement, accessibility, Kathak, dance, rhythm, teaching, learning, pros and cons, difficult moments, approach, goals, aspirations

Takeaways

• Kathak is a Hindustani dance form based on Hindustani music.
• There are different Gharanas (lineages) in Kathak, each with its own style.
• Kathak is a blend of Hindu and Muslim cultures and evolved as a storytelling tradition.
• Rhythm and body movement are important aspects of Kathak.
• Lakshmi Vishwanathan aims to make Kathak more accessible and inclusive. Rhythm is a crucial aspect of Kathak, and it is important to instill a strong sense of rhythm in students.
• Being a teacher and a performer are two different facets, with teaching requiring a deep understanding of the art form.
• As a teacher, it is humbling and rewarding to see students surpass your own abilities and excel in their dance journey.
• Integrity and a strong foundation in the art form are essential for students to showcase themselves and explore their creativity.
• In classical art forms, there are no shortcuts, and patience and perseverance are key.
• Balancing tradition and creativity can be challenging, but it is important to nurture the relationship with dance and allow students to express themselves.
• Taking one step at a time and focusing on continuous improvement is the approach to success in the Kathak journey.

Titles

• Exploring the Art Form of Kathak
• The Signature Styles of Kathak Gharanas The Importance of Rhythm in Kathak
• The Pleasure of Seeing Students Excel

Sound Bites

• "Kathak is a Hindustani dance form"
• "Jaipur Gharana is very vigorous"
• "Lucknow Gharana is more abhinaya based"
• "Our feet have to talk. It's almost, we as Kathak dancers, we are playing tabla on the floor with our feet."
• "Being a teacher has got to do with your understanding."
• "There is nothing more pleasurable than grooming students who have much better caliber than you do."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Lakshmi Vishwanathan and Kathak

01:57
Exploring the Art Form of Kathak

10:14
The Blend of Hindu and Muslim Cultures in Kathak

23:23
Making Kathak More Accessible and Inclusive