Katha kahe so Kathak | Pt. Tribhuwan Maharaj | TEDxMayoor School Ajmer

Quick Overview

The speaker, identifying as a representative of the 9th generation of the illustrious Kalkabinda Din Gharana from Lucknow, performs a rhythmic recitation in what sounds like a regional dialect (likely Rajasthani or a related language) to illustrate the profound, multi-layered meaning embedded within the traditional Kathak term 'Kathak' itself, which encompasses music (Sangeet), dance (Nritya), and visual storytelling (Drishtik), contrasting it with the simpler notion of a 'storyteller' (Kathak).

Key Points: The speaker represents the 9th generation of the Kalkabinda Din Gharana from Lucknow, a lineage dedicated to the art of Kathak. The speaker performs a rhythmic recitation using syllables like "Tat tat tat tat tat kat tat dhin dhin dha" to demonstrate the complexity of Kathak's terminology. The word 'Kathak' is defined as encompassing the trinity of Indian classical arts: Sangeet (music), Vadan (instrumentation), and Nritya (dance). The speaker recounts the story of Krishna, who, after making the Gopis (female companions) disrobe and leave their clothes on a tree, commanded them to enter the water naked to teach them a lesson. The word 'Tak' (to see) is highlighted as having a deeper meaning than just 'seeing with the eyes' (Nayan/Locan), suggesting a deeper, spiritual observation (Drig). The speaker concludes that the entire Kathak tradition, encompassing music, dance, and sculpture, is based on Lord Krishna and the concept of 'Dha' (attention/sight) and 'Thu' (the 17th letter, representing Vishnu).

Context: The presentation takes place at a TEDx event hosted by Mayoor School Ajmer Youth. The speaker, dressed in traditional, ornate purple attire, is a hereditary practitioner of Kathak, tracing his lineage back to the Kalkabinda Din Gharana from Lucknow, which was founded by Pandit Ishwari Prasad Ji in the 1700s. The talk centers on dissecting the deep, layered meanings embedded within the terminology of Kathak, particularly focusing on the word 'Kathak' itself and its connection to the stories of Lord Krishna.