An introductory workshop in Kathak technique, led by Ms. Pratibha Sharma.
Kathak is one of India’s eight classical dance forms, with roots in the tradition of travelling storytellers known as Kathakars in North India. Its name comes from the Sanskrit word katha, meaning “story.”
Blending Hindu temple traditions with influences from the Mughal courts, Kathak is known for its intricate rhythmic footwork with ankle bells (ghungroo), fast spins (chakkars), expressive hand gestures, and storytelling through movement and facial expression.
The workshop will begin with an introduction to Kathak and its traditions, followed by:
Basic Kathak footwork, hand movements, and spins
Practicing the newly learned techniques with music
Learning a short musical piece of Guru Vandana
Learning a short dance sequence combining the hand movements, footwork, and spins introduced during the workshop
The workshop will conclude with a 10-minute performance by Ms. Pratibha Sharma, featuring two pieces: Invocation and Kathak Techniques
Ms. Pratibha Sharma is a distinguished Kathak artist from the Jaipur gharana, trained under the tutelage of Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Guru Smt Geetanjali Lal.
With over 22 years of experience, she has extensively performed globally, including in the UK, Denmark, China and Austria, under the auspices of ICCR and other organizations.
Currently, she serves as a Teacher of Indian Culture at the Indian Culture Centre, Embassy of India- Tel Aviv, sharing her expertise through performances, lecture demonstrations and workshops.
