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Kathak's Ancient Roots Unearthed in Sculptures
27 Jul
Summary
- New book traces Kathak's origins through ancient Indian sculptures.
- The publication argues Kathak is a continuous classical dance tradition.
- Disciples demonstrated ancient dance forms from sculptures via Kathak.
An event held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the India International Centre in New Delhi celebrated the launch of Dr. Shovana Narayan's book, "Speaking Sculptures: Karanas in Kathak." This publication explores the profound connections between Kathak dance, historical sculptures, and scholarly research.
Eminent figures from academia and the arts gathered to discuss how India's sculptural heritage illuminates the historical evolution of Kathak. The book meticulously analyzes sculptural evidence from various regions and periods, from the Indus Valley Civilization up to the 17th century.
Dr. Narayan's work posits that Kathak represents an unbroken classical dance lineage, challenging the notion of its sole emergence in the medieval era. It investigates costume, music, and movement, highlighting enduring links between ancient art and contemporary practice.
The evening culminated in a captivating performance by Dr. Narayan's disciples. They brought several karanas to life through Kathak, demonstrating the integration of Sanskrit nomenclature with the dance form's rhythmic and movement vocabulary.
