Diploma 2

Question 1

Definitions

1. Thaat
2. Amadh
3. Salami
4. Gat
5. Gat nikas
6. Gat bhav
7. Natwari
8. Permelu
9. Paran
10. Chakardar
11. Kavitt
12. Nagma

Answer 1

1. Thaat = arrival on stage to set an impression –> represents how a dancer uses their body w/ movement of neck, wrists, eyes, eyebrows and torso, then combined with simplistic tukda’s, mukhda’s and tihai’s. Typically performed in any taal’s vilambith laya.
2. Amadh = comes from Persian word Agaman which means arrival, or to come . The entrance of the dancer was known as Amad and became popular during the muslim regime. Typically performed in the vilambith laya in 1 avartan of a taal.
3. Salami = a persian word that means salaam AKA welcoming of the audience by the dancer. ALL variations of Laya are performed i.e. Thah, Dogun, Tigun, Chogun in the same Tukda and finishes on the sum.
4. Gat = from the word ‘gati’, represents the act of walking in dance. It showcases different kinds of walks and depict meanings like playing the flute. The walk flows with the laya.
5. Gat nikas = ‘nikas’ means emerging form, so gat nikas means emerging form of walking in dance.
6. Gat Bhav = expressive depiction of the main theme or subject within the walk e.g. Holi or the teasing between Radha and Krishna
7. Natwari = bols believed to be created when Krishna was on top of the serpent, Kaaliya, the bols being ‘thei’ and ‘tat’
8. Permelu = derived from “Par” and “Mel,” means a combination of various instrumental sounds. It combines dance bols with instruments like Tabla or Pakhawaj, to create a composition in a set taal pattern. Main sounds include Thun, Thak, and Jhijhikit. It is captivating both visually and aurally.
9. Paran = composition in a set taal spanning at least one avartan. It has Pakhawaj bols and/or heavy syllables like Dhataka thunga and Dhage dinge ta.
10. Chakardar = a composition that repeats three times and returns to the sum.
11. Kavitt = bols of a poem set to laya-taal, often based on stories of Krishna, Shankar, Radha etc. It is expressive and depicted with great drama.
12. Nagma = urdu word meaning lehra, AKA the drone sound that keeps time in music and dance. It helps musicians or dancers stay aware of the matra in the taal. Instruments like the sarangi, harmonium, violin, or sitar provide the lehra in dance.

Question 2

thaat

What is:
1. Ang
2. Pratyang
3. Upyang

Answer 2

Ang (body) = postures + body movements

Pratyang (major limbs) = supporting movements and gestures that compliment the body

Upyang (minor limbs) = intricate movements, gestures, or expressions that add detail and nuance

Question 3

Thaat

What is the difference between achal thaat and chal thaat?

Answer 3

Achal = 'motionless' AKA dancer stands in one place and uses ang, pratyang, + upyang

Chal = opposite of achal; dancer moves to different places with ang, pratyang, + upyang, then returns to sum

Question 4

Kathak

Kathak dance consists of which 3 elements?

self, form, place

Answer 4

∙ Swarup (self)
∙ Aakar (form)
∙ Sthanak (place)

Question 5

Q.

Lakshan nitrya is another word for what?

Answer 5

Thaat

Question 6

Gharanas

What is gharana?

What are the 3 gharanas of kathak?

Answer 6

Gharana literally means Ghar (house)

3 distinct styles of art form in kathak:
Lucknow, Jaipur and Banaras

Question 7

Lucknow

Lucknow gharana:

1. Founder?
2. Inspiration?
   important names
3. What is it known for?

Answer 7

1. Creator = Shri Ishwari Prasadji from Allahbad
2. Lord Krishna inspired him to create a dance manual, which he taught his 3 sons.

This dance style was passed down generations, with prominent dancers that shaped the Lucknow gharana to be:

Maharaj Maan Prasadji - who the king later gave his title ‘Singh’ to, thus Maharaj Maan Singh shaped the Kathak we know of today.

Thakur Prasadji’s influence toward Kathak is also noteworthy - he was a royal court dancer in the courts of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. He taught his nephews and instilled the displine of kathak in many.

3. Lucknow Gharana is known for its soft and elegant bols (syllables) mainly because the Nawab’s were refined in their courtly ways. The most popular and well known Nawab, Wajid Ali Shah (one of the last rulers) also learnt Kathak from Maharaj Thakur Prasadji.

Question 8

Jaipur

Jaipur gharana:

1. Founder?
2. Inspiration?
   important names
3. What is it known for?

Answer 8

1. Developed in the courts of the Kacchwaha kings of Jaipur in Rajasthan by Bhanuji
2. A devotee of Shiva and well known for his rendition of the Shiva Tandav.

Bhanuji’s great grandsons, Hari Prasad and Hanuman Prasad became stalwarts of this gharana, as they became dancers of the Jaipur court.

Influenced by the Bhakti movement, they excelled in devotional bhajans

Vaishnavism also influenced Jaipur Gharana, emphasising themes of Krishna.

3. Jaipur gharana is known for forceful footwork, multiple spins, and intricate rhythmic patterns like Kask Masak, in praise of Gods and Godesses

Jaipur Gharana Kathak dancers excel in taals such as Dhamar, Chautaal, and Rudra.

The forceful footwork is influenced by the Maharajja’s of Rajasthan - as their strong warrior spirit influenced the use of fast, strong and hard dance bols. In particular, the tabla and pakhawaj bols were mixed with dance.

Question 9

Banaras

Banaras gharana:

1. Founder?
2. Inspiration?
   important names
3. What is it known for?

Answer 9

1. Developed by Pt. Janaki Prasad in Varanasi, a region of Banaras. Janaki Prasad was a dancer and Sanskrit scholar, and credited with inventing the bols of Kathak.
2. His in-laws gave him a single composition written on a scrap of paper as dowry, expecting him to create his wealth from it. Deeply offended by the gesture, he walked away from his marriage and dedicated himself to dance.

The two sub gharanas of Banaras were led by Hajari Prasad and Sukhdev Maharaj respectively.

3. Banaras Gharana is renowned for its Natwari compositions, Shiv-based themes, complex rhythms, Tandav-style gestures with jumps and Natraj poses, and its extensive repertoire of kavitts and shlok-based compositions, making it the oldest gharana in Kathak.

Question 10

Guru vandana

Meanings of the following phrases in guru vandana:

1. “Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu”
2. “Gururdevo Maheshvarah”
3. “Guruh sakshaat parabrahmaa”
4. “Tasmai sri gurave namah”

Answer 10

1. Guru is truly the representative of Brahma and Vishnu
   The teacher is like Lord Brahma as he generates knowledge within us,
   is like Lord Vishnu as he drives ideas and knowledge into our mind unto the right path.
2. And is like Lord Mahesha (Shiva) as he destroys the ill-conceived ideas that come from our knowledge, while enlightening us and helping us stay on the right path.
3. I bow to that Guru, who is like our ultimate God
4. We should pray and give respect to our teacher.

Question 11

Definitions - guru vandana

1. Guru
2. Brahma
3. Vishnu
4. Maheshvara
5. Sakshat
6. Parabrahmaa
7. Tasmai
8. Sri
9. Namah

Answer 11

1. Guru: Teacher, spiritual preceptor, remover of darkness and ignorance
2. Brahma: the Lord of Creation
3. Vishnu: the Lord of Preservation
4. Maheshvara: Name of Lord Shiva. He who dissolves or destroys
5. Sakshat: before one’s eyes, clearly, visibly
6. Parabrahmaa: the Supreme Spirit, the Absolute
7. Tasmai: unto that
8. Sri: respectful title
9. Namah: I bow