Kathak is one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance. The origin of Kathak is traditionally attributed to the traveling bards of ancient northern India known as Kathakars or storytellers. Wandering Kathakars communicated stories from the great epics and ancient mythology through dance, songs, and music. Kathak dancers tell various stories through their hand movements and extensive footwork, their body movements, and flexibility but most importantly through their facial expressions.

 

Kathak is unique in having both Hindu and Muslim gharanas and cultural elements. Kathak is found in three distinct forms, called "gharanas", named after the cities where the Kathak dance tradition evolved – Jaipur, Banaras, and Lucknow. While the Jaipur Gharana focuses more on foot movements, the Banaras and Lucknow gharanas focus more on facial expressions and graceful hand movements.

 

Stylistically, the Kathak dance form emphasizes rhythmic foot movements, adorned with small bells (Ghungroo), and the movement harmonized to the music. The legs and torso are generally straight, and the story is told through a developed vocabulary based on the gestures of arms and upper body movement, facial expressions, neck movements, eyes and eyebrow movement, stage movements, bends, and turns.

The main focus of the dance becomes the eyes and foot movements. The eyes work as a medium of communication of the story the dancer is trying to communicate. With the eyebrows, the dancer gives various facial expressions.