KATHA DANCE THEATRE

Kathak School of Dance: Native to North India, Kathak originated in 400 BC as a storytelling device to portray the epic tales of Hindu scriptures, Mahabharata and Ramayana. Poetry was combined with rhythmic movement to aid in the worshipful storytelling. During the medieval period, Kathak became an established part of court culture, performed under the patronage of India's Persian kings and Muslim mughals. This sealed Kathak's transition from colloquial entertainment to classical art form. Thus Kathak developed into a strong dance tradition that incorporates elements of both Hindu and Muslim cultures. At KDT School we follow an academic calendar and conduct weekly curriculum based Kathak dance training to over 102 aspiring dancers ages 6 - 60 in 4 sessions (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer). In addition, we offer a summer Intensive session for reinforcing the technical aspects of Kathak dance. During the pandemic, we started teaching virtually that brought students from other states. And currently we have both options open - in-person classes and virtual classes in any session.

In June 2024, Katha Dance Theatre produced and presented a new dance work: Ganga: A Choreographic Odyssey. The show premiered at E.M. Pearson Theatre on the campus of Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota on the weekend of June 14. Ganga used Kathak to convey the universal importance of protecting and conserving water sources. Using the storytelling artform's trademark rhythmic footwork, pirouettes and gestural and facial expressiveness, Ganga emphasizes the crucial role the Ganges plays to Asian Indians and the similar role the Mississippi plays to Minnesotans--especially to indigenous communities. Using these mythological and real-life frameworks, Ganga calls for systemic change and urges audiences to take action against environmental destruction