02/07/2020 Y8 South Asian Dance
Y8 South Asian Dance Read through the following information in regard to South Asian Dance and in particular for this week Kathak Dance. Once you have read the information please complete the quiz. All the answers to the questions are within the information below. *Required
1. Name and Class
What is South Asian Dance? South Asian dance encompasses dance forms originating from the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) and varies between classical and non-classical dance.
The classical dance forms often described as Indian Classical Dance include Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam and Sattriya. Other dance forms include Kalaripayattu or Kalari and Chhau which are influenced by martial art. The non-classical dance are Bollywood dance and folk dances such as Bhangra, Garba, Kalbelia and Bihu dance. (https://akademi.co.uk/)
We are going to take a closer look at 3 of these Dance forms: Bollywood, Kathak and Banga. In Lesson 2 we will be looking at Kathak Dance in more depth.
Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word katha meaning story and Kathakars meaning the one who tells a story. Kathak traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India who used to recite religious and mythological tales using mime and dance accompanied by musician. Kathak started in temples in Northern India and later transited to Mogul court during the Mogul era. This is the only classical dance form that has links with Hindu and Muslim culture.
The pirouettes are the most distinguished feature of Kathak, the technique is built by the use of an intricate use of foot-work, soft gliding movements of the neck, eyebrows and the wrists.
Recitation of the rhythmic syllables is common; the dancer often pauses to recite these to a specified metrical cycle of 16, 10, 14 beats followed by execution through movement. Both the drummer (often a tabla player) and the dancer weave endless combinations on a repetitive melodic line.
The beats are called differently by the names tukra, tora, and parana, all indicative of the nature of rhythmic patterns used and the percussion instrument accompanying the dance. The dance often commences with a sequence called Thaat. This is followed by a conventional formal entry known as the Amad (entry) and the Salami (salutation).
There are three major schools or gharana of Kathak: the Lucknow gharana, known for the expression of moods and emotions, Jaipur gharana famous for its rhythmic virtuosity and Varanasi gharana, which is characterized by the exclusive use of the Natwari or dance bols, which are different from the tabla and the pakhawaj bols. There is also a great use of the floor. These schools are named according to the geographical area in which they were developed and each gharana has a slight difference in interpretation and repertoire.
Information taken from: (https://akademi.co.uk/)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ALxmpQxZPGaNtf1-_emLaWeoVp232tK7ori8hOblfGc/edit 1/6 02/07/2020 Y8 South Asian Dance
Kathak Dance: Akram Khan (Professional Dancer/Choreographer trained in Kathak and Contemporary Dance)
Kathak Dance: Vidya Patel (BBC Young Dancer Finalist)
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2. In the text it states that: Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word katha. 1 point What does 'derived' mean? *
Mark only one oval.
Where it comes from, its origin
Where it can be heard
Where it can be given
3. What does the Sanskrit word 'Katha' mean? * 1 point
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A Dance
A Film
A Story
4. Kathak started in temples before it went to the Mogul court. Where were 1 point the temples? *
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Northern Sri Lanka
Northern India
Northern Bangladesh
5. Kathak is the only South Asian Dance form that has links with two cultures. 1 point What are they? *
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Muslim and Hindu
Hindu and Budhism
Muslim and Christianity
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6. What is the most distinguishing feature of Kathak Dance? * 1 point
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Floor Movements
Pirouettes
Travelling
7. Which three other techniques is Kathak built on? * 1 point
Mark only one oval.
Footwork, Gliding of the head and Jumping
Sliding, Footwork and Gliding eyebrows
Footwork, Gliding of the neck and wrists
8. In the text above it states that: Recitation of the rhythmic syllables is 1 point common in Kathak. What does this sentence mean? *
Mark only one oval.
Repeating rythmic sounds/vowels through memory
Repeating music through memory
Saying the story out loud.
9. Which percussion instrument accompanies and works with the rhythm of 1 point the dancer? *
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Tambourine
Drum
Xylopohne
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10. What is the name of the sequence that Kathak dance starts with? * 1 point
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Thaat
Amad
Salami
11. There are three major schools or gharana of Kathak: One is called the 1 point Lucknow gharana. What is this known for? *
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Expression of the rythym
Expression of the instrument accompanying the dance
Expression of moods and emotions
12. When you look at the image at the start of the quiz of the Professional 1 point Dancer Akram Khan. What physical skill is he carrying out? *
Mark only one oval.
Balance
Flexibility
Mobility
13. When you look at the image at the start of the quiz of the Kathak Dancer 1 point Vidya Patel. Can you choose 2 words which best describe her costume? *
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Colourful and full skirt
Colourful and no Jewellery worn
Jewellery worn and neutral colour skirt.
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