Arana - Prancing Into A Fairytale

Upon hearing the notes of "What A Wonderful World" playing, there's immediately a happy tone, a contagious smile that comes on.

There are certain tunes that seem to make the world around us break into song and dance! Nrityanidhi brings this fairytale to life - those classic songs that remind you of a simple time, a simple story.

Embraced by melody,

And lyrics that touched your heart...

Made you cry, and Made you laugh...

Edelweiss, Seasons in the Sun, Another Day in Paradise, Heal the World, and many more songs that feel like a warm embrace of yesteryears.

Soulful and Lyrical Western Ballads have entered the esteemed repertoire of the Nrityanidhi style.

A never before seen, amalgamation of Kathak blending with Western Lyrical Ballads, creating an ethereal experience for our audiences.

Origin of Kathak

"The term Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Katha,’ which means ‘story,’ while the word Kathakar is used for a storyteller. According to ancient records and research, Kathak originated in Varanasi and later traveled to various parts of India. This dance form evolved during the Bhakti movement as an expression towards Lord Krishna. The dance form entered its golden era during the Mughal era. The Mughals fostered all types of Indian arts, and the dancers, musicians, and poets also received special patronage in the courts of the rulers. The dance, music, and costumes of Kathak were influenced and inspired by Persian culture. Even today, we use instruments introduced by the Mughals and incorporate elements like Urdu Ghazal in performances. The dance form faced a steady decline during British rule in India; however, it managed to survive these social stigmas as some artists' families continued to pass the tradition to younger generations."

Characteristics of Kathak

The important features of Kathak mentioned in Natyashastra include Nritta, which represents pure dance; Nritya, depicting authentic drama; and Natya, emphasizing the use of vivid facial expressions. Kathak dance is compelling, showcasing diverse movements ranging from subtle and slow to rapid and rhythmic. The dance follows a sequence that includes Amad (the dramatic and eye-catching entrance of the dancer), Thaat (a gentle and elegant segment in the dance), Tora, Tukra, and Paran (creative compositions within the dance), Parhant (steps with soft rhythms), and lastly, Tatkar (foot movements). Rhythmic foot movements are enhanced with Ghungroo (an accessory with multiple small bells), harmonizing with music from instruments like the tabla, harmonium, or sarangi, accompanied by manjira. Dhrupad, an ancient music genre of India, is also widely used during Kathak stage performances.

Kathak Gharnas

The term 'Gharana' is derived from the Hindi/Urdu word ‘ghar,’ meaning house. The dance form encompasses various gharanas, also referred to as schools of Kathak. The dance gained significant recognition in the cities of Lucknow, Jaipur, and Banaras, each of which developed distinctive styles, leading to the establishment of three gharanas. The Jaipur Gharana emphasizes foot movements, while the Banaras and Lucknow Gharanas focus more on facial expressions and graceful hand movements. Sir Ishawar Prasad and subsequent generations in his family were leading pioneers of the Lucknow Gharana. Ishawar Prasad’s great-grandson was appointed as the Guru of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. The Jaipur Gharana was founded by Shri Bhanuji, who was trained in the Tandava dance style. The Banaras Gharana, the most popular Kathak dance gharana, was founded by Janakiprasad and incorporates both the Tandava and Lasya styles of dancing.

Lyrical Ballads

This collection of 23 poems was first published in 1798 by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. Some scholars regard the appearance of these classic poems as the beginning of English Romanticism. The poems convey emotional responses to the natural and supernatural in conversational verse. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, The Foster-Mother’s Tale, The Nightingale, The Dungeon, and Love are some of the poems from different editions of the Lyrical Ballads.