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| screen shots from the Living Tradition CD Rom |
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| Kathak |
| Kathak is (with Bharata Natyam) the other popular classical Indian dance style in Britain. Kathak developed in north India, with Jaipur in Rajasthan and Luckhnow and Benares in Uttar Pradesh as important centres. |
| Its main difference from all other styles is the upright stance with parallel or slightly turned out feet. From this position the dancer is able to exercise great control over the footwork. The stamping of intricate rhythmic patterns is matched by the extreme subtlety of neck, head and wrist movements. The sharp turns of head, the fast spins or chakkars, the flourish with which the dancer greets the sum are some of the highlights of the style. Improvisation is an important element of a Kathak performance. |
| The main percussive instrument in Kathak is the tabla. There is close rapprt between the tabla player and the dancer, who anticipate each other's moves and playfully extend possible combinations and permutations of the rhythm cycle. |
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