Application of Kathak Stylistic Qualities

 Greeting sequence

Bols and Takhar (rhythmic sequence)

Mudras (hand gestures)

Chakkars (spins)

At 0:06 in the video below you can see chakkars being performed.

Storytelling - paragraph one

Storytelling - paragraph two

- Analysis -

Which 2 aspects of Kathak style are you successfully applying and explaining why

When it come to Kathak style of dance there are many different elements of this that I believe that I executed well along with performing it effectively for the style.

One element and stylistic feature of kathak style that I believe that I performed effectively was the Bols and Takars. Bols are spoken words that correlate with the beat of the music along with numbers, for example ta means one whilst ta ka means two and Takars is foot work that follows a rhythmic pattern. I believe I exercuted this feature well as I was able to keep both my feet movement (takars) and my words (bols) in time with eachother to keep the rhythmic beat that I was performing. Along with this, as can be seen in the video, I projected my words clearly and stamped my feet in a way that they were isolated from the rest of my body, which is how they are intended to be performed. The following reasons listed are why I believe that this feature of Kathak is one of my strengths.

One element and stylistic feature of kathak style that I believe that I performed effectively was the Mudras. Mudras are a symbolic or ritual gesture or pose that is performed with the hands and fingers. I believe I executed this feature well as I was able to perform each of the mudras clearly along with making sure that my eyes focused on the mudras that I was performing. When it comes to mudras they are quite simple to perform, but when doing them you have to make sure that you remain focused and in a proper posture, and in the video below you can see me demonstrating this. The following reasons listed are why I believe that this feature of Kathak is one of my strengths.

Which 2 aspects of Kathak style do you need to develop and explaining why

When it come to Kathak style of dance there are many different elements of this that I believe that I could improve on to make my overall performance better and more true to the style.

One element that I believe that I could improve would be my execution technically of Chakkars. Chakkars are the turns that are performed in this style of dance. Although my ability to spot and keep balance when doing Chakkars is effective, however something that I need to improve is my footing when it comes to the turns. Personally, I found it hard when doing the chakkars as this style of turn is quite different in comparison to pirouettes which is based on the ball of the foot while the chakkars are done with a flat foot. So to improve this skill, I plan to look more into how to do them so that they can be as technically accurate as possible, and this will include practicing them.

At 0:06 in the video below you can see chakkars being performed.

Another element that I think that I need to improve is my performance of the words that I am speaking. In the paragraphs that I am saying, I am staying at quite a monotone tone which makes the story less engaging for the audience when they are listening. So to make the storytelling more engaging for my audience, I plan to work on the different volumes and tones that I use so that the story can be told and understood more easily for an audience perspective and become more entertaining.

In the videos bellow, you will be able to see examples of how I am speaking throughout the piece.