KATHAK YOGA, A NEW DIMENSION IN THE EVOLUTION OF KATHAK

By Jaiwanti Das Pamnani, Pharm. D

KATHAK YOGA an innovation of Pandit Chitresh Das is a unique 21^st century technique encompassing innovation within the tradition of Kathak, where by the dancer can study this classical art form and preserve its demanding technical and artistic virtuosity.

As a practitioner of Kathak Yoga, I would like to share my experience of the benefits of this technique.

Like Yoga, Kathak Yoga aims to integrate the mind, the soul and the body.  Through diligent and ongoing practice, the dancer interweaves the multifaceted elements of Kathak, while at the same time remaining in the true bhakti (devotional) state which enables the art and the artist to become one.

Kathak Yoga challenges the dancer to incorporate the recitation of any chosen Talam (rhythmic structure); sing the melody of that Talam; dance precise mathematically complicated footwork; and endow all movements with grace and beauty, radiating  either pure dance (Nritta) or retelling excerpts from great Hindu and Muslim literature all at the same moment.

This unification of all the elements of the dance is at the core of the Kathak Yoga method. Pandit Chitresh Das’s style of Kathak incorporates the Jaipur Gharana’s (school) style of speed and power, and the Luchnow Gharana’s style of grace and beauty.

One can compare Pandit Das’s background and training to an Olympic athlete.  It involves the physical and mental challenges of speed (fast footwork and pirouettes), endurance (rapid transitions between power and delicacy) and improvisation. In a performance, both the dancer and the musician meet but do not know how the other’s style unfolds.   Kathak is synonymous with innovation through improvisation and tests the agility, quickness, and intelligence of the artist.   Kathak Yoga aims to create the highest type of artist who represents the best of human potential by reaching deeper within oneself.

All four elements of Kathak dance are equally stressed in Pandit Das’s style of teaching: tayari (readiness), laykari  (the understanding and versatility of rhythm and timing), khoobsurti (beauty), and nazakat (delicacy). Kathak Yoga is both a weight- intensive and cardiovascular form of exercise. The dancer wears ghungroos (bells) on the ankles which weigh between 2 to 4 pounds.

What makes it extremely demanding is that the dancer must balance the speed and power of movement while maintaining the beauty and delicacy of the dance, continually reciting the basic rhythm structure, and superimpose a different rhythmic pattern, footwork and pirouettes  over the recitation while singing at  the  same time, similar to multiple instruments in a well rehearsed orchestra.

In this case a single dancer transforms into an Orchestra.

Pandit Chitresh Das’s amazing feat is that he dances at the speed of 9 sounds per second with 5 pounds of weights, while singing and playing tabla (Indian drums) at the same time. 

Through the discipline of Kathak Yoga, one is fully able to experience the present, integrating all consciousness, and becoming one with the divine or universal energy.  As Pandit Chitresh Das says, “lou ban jaai” (become one with the environment, music and oneself)In this state, nothing else matters. One is dancing simply for the sake of becoming one with the environment and the higher self, a “meditation in motion.”

The technique of Kathak Yoga allows one to go deeper within oneself, and removes one from the mode of performance. Kathak yoga catalyzes the kindling of vibration that occurs in the awakened state. Extreme concentration and focus helps to create the deep meditation and an uplifting state similar to practicing other forms of yoga.

One could compare this to realizing the symbol of aum in its true vibrations through dance.  

As one practices the discipline of Kathak Yoga, in one sense the dancer is completely consumed and attached. In another sense, he or she is detached from the physical "goal-oriented" world. 

Kathak Yoga is a truly a unique technique to incorporate in one’s journey of life.  It is a path that can lead to a higher spiritual level and a greater healing power if one can practice it correctly.  It is a wonderful technique to practice when physically challenged due to illness, as it can be practiced at any speed and provides a tremendous sense of grounding. 

Being a pharmacist and having to go through my own health issues, I have been using Kathak Yoga as an alternative medicine to kindle my energy within and combating the fatigue caused by my illness.

I am grateful to have learned such a powerful technique for grounding myself,  to be able to experience the path of continual learning and rediscovery, and keep finding new ways to utilize Kathak Yoga in my personal healing process.

I thank my Guruji for teaching me the technique of Kathak Yoga, as this technique has no limitation of age.  One can practice true bhakti through Kathak yoga until a ripe old age.  Music and dance are supposed to bring harmony to your mind, body and soul. Kathak Yoga achieves that goal, and takes it further by making a dancer look inward instead of focusing only on the performance of dance.

Jaiwanti Das Pamnani, Disciple of Pandit Chitresh Das

 Kathak Yoga is a  true gift to the world   of Kathak, a new dimension in Kathak.