Teaching Philosophy

"Kathak opens a gateway to knowledge. Access to this knowledge comes only through years of systematic study and practice in front of the teacher and alone with oneself."
                                                 ~ Pandit Chitresh Das

As has been passed down in the tradition, the basic principles of study embody the body, mind, and spirit of the dance.

Tayari (readiness) - the virtuosity of technique acquired through systematic practice.

Layakari - deep understanding and versatility of rhythm and timing.

Khubsurti and Nazakat (beauty and delicacy) - the aesthetics of the art and the refined subtlety of rendering expression.

"Dance in such a way that your dance becomes One with everything."
    ~ Pandit Ram Narayan Misra (guruji of Chitresh Das)

Each student learns the following aspects of the dance:

• Nritta (pure dance, technique): includes movement exercises, basic tatkar (footwork), chakkars (turns); rhythmic patterns and timing; recitation of the bols (language of the dance).
• Nritya (dance with rhythm and expression): use of interpretive gestures, expression, and rendering of traditional songs and poems.
• Natya (drama): learning the art of ï storytelling, the nava rasa (nine sentiments), working with ardhanariswara-shiva/shakti (masculine/feminine energies).

yato hasta stato drishti
yato drishti stato mana(ha)
yato mana stato bhavo
yato bhav stato rasa

Wherever go the hands, so follows the gaze of the eyes
Wherever go the eyes, so follows the attunement of the mind
Wherever goes the mind, so follows the expression of feeling
Wherever goes the feeling, so follows the essence of mood.