Kathak Dance and Taal Tritaal

Introduction of Kathak Dance

• Kathak is one of the nine Indian Classical Dance styles
• Kathak is a North-Indian dance form
• Kathak originated in the "Ayodhyanathdhwara" temples
• The word Kathak comes from the word "Katha" which translates to story
• Kathak is known as the art of storytelling
• Kathak has 3 schools or Gharanas: Lucknow Gharana, Jaipur Gharana, Banaras Gharana
• Some characteristics of Kathak dance are the chakris or pirouettes/turns and the tatkaar or the footwork

Introduction of Taal Tritaal

• Taal Tritaal also known as Aaditaal, Teentaal
• It has 16 Maatras
• It has 4 Khanda, each of 4 maatras
• Sam occurs on the 1st Maatra
• Kaal occurs on the 9th Maatra
• Taalis occurs on the 1st, 5th, and 13th Maatra

Theka of Tritaal

• Na Dhin Dhin Na | Na Dhin Dhin Na |
• Na Tin Tin Na | Na Dhin Dhin Na | Na
• OR
• Dha Dhin Dhin Dha | Dha Dhin Dhin Dha |
• Dha Tin Tin Ta | Ta Dhin Dhin Dha | Dha

Definitions

• Laya means speed, rhythm, or tempo
• Laya is a continuous movement in space of time
• Music and dance is like a body without bones without laya
• Maintaining constant speed in the beats of a rhythm cycle is known as Laya
• There are 3 types of Laya: Vilambit, Madhya, and Drut

Types of Laya

• Vilambit Laya: It is a very slow tempo, half of Madhya Laya
• Madhya Laya: It is neither too slow nor too fast, it has a medium tempo
• Drut Laya: It is a very fast speed, it is double of Madhya Laya

Sam

• The first beat of Taal is called "Sam"
• Aavartan starts from Sam and ends on Sam
• When the dancer finally ends the composition on Sam, it is a peak of happiness
• Each time a composition ends on Sam, it ends in a beautiful manner

Maatra

• The scale by which Laya is measured is called Maatra
• Every Taal has a set number of maatras
• Maatras are demonstrated with our hands by clapping, using our fingers or by showing kaal
• Titaal has 16 maatras (beats)

Taali

• Taali means clap
• There are certain divisions of maatras in every Taal
• The first beat of some divisions (KhanDas) is shown with a clap except for the first beat of a specific khanda which is the kaal
• Tritaal has 3 taalis in one cycle, which are on the 1st, 5th, and 13th beat

Kaal/Khaali

• The first beat of a specific khanda, shown just by the right palm, is called khaali or kaal
• Usually, the second half of a taal begins with Kaal
• Kaal is shown by the palm of the right hand and not by clapping
• Tritaal has only one Kaal in one cycle which is on 9th beat

Tihai

• Tihai is a composition, which includes a set of syllables (bols) repeated thrice
• It ends on sam
• Tihai is generally a concluding composition

Vibhag

• A Vibhag is a natural division of any taal based on its Theka
• It can be showed with a clap or waving the hand as per the measurement

Names of Present Kathak Gurus

• Pandit Birju Maharaj ji
• Guru Maneesha Sathe ji
• Guru Rajendra Gangani ji
• Guru Shama Bhate ji
• Guru Prabha Marathe ji
• Guru Uma Dogra ji

Symbols of taal-lipi

• Sama is represented by: X
• Kaal (Khaali) is represented by: O
• Maatra is represented by: numbers
• Vibhaag (Khand) is represented by: |
• Yatii is represented by: (a curved line)
• Avagraha is represented by: S

Taall Information

• Tritaal has 16 Maatras
• Tritaal has 4 Khanda, consisting of 4 maatras each
• Sam occurs on the 1st maatra
• Kaal occurs on the 9th maatra
• Taalis occurs on the 1st, 5th, and 13th maatra

An introduction to Kathak dance, one of the nine Indian Classical Dance styles. Kathak originated in North India and is known as the art of storytelling. Also introduces Taal Tritaal with 16 Maatras and 4 Khanda. Laya means speed, rhythm, or tempo.