Kathak is one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance. Its origin is attributed to the traveling bards in ancient northern India known as Kathakar ("storyteller"), who communicated stories from the Hindu epics through dance, songs, and music. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word katha which means "story", and kathakar which means "the one who tells a story" or "to do with stories". 'Katha kahe so kathak kahave' - Kathak is the dance of story tellers. Stories are narrated through the medium of the body, face, hands, and feet in sync with the tabla and lehra.
Kathak dancers tell various stories utilizing hand movements and extensive footwork, their body movements, and flexibility, as well as their facial expressions. Kathak often has a strong beat and can be danced in many taals. While proto-Kathak elements can be seen long before, Kathak evolved during the Bhakti movement, particularly by incorporating the childhood and stories of the Hindu deity Krishna, as well as independently in the courts of north Indian kingdoms. During the period of Mughal rule, the emperors were patrons of Kathak dance and actively promoted it in their royal courts. Kathak performances include Urdu ghazal and commonly used instruments brought during the Mughal period. As a result, it is the only Indian classical dance form to feature Persian elements.
