Bharatanatyam and Kathak – A Complete Guide to Two Iconic Indian Dance Forms
Movement is a basic human activity. Humans move to work, they move to express. They move to be. Movement which is free and has expression of body, mind, and soul is known as dance. So everywhere where humans are allowed to be humans you will find some sort of dance form.
All dance stems from the same innate desire of expression, but the stories, culture, music, and environment play a part, which ultimately results in the formation of unique and vibrant dance forms all around the globe.
India is a land known for its vibrant art and dance scene. Two of the major classical dancing traditions that thrive in India are Bharatanatyam and Kathak. Both of these dance forms have roots deeply embedded into the history and culture of India while being drastically different from each other.
This blog explores the intricacies of Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance and tries to explore the key differences these mighty dancing traditions have between each other. Through this blog, people with newfound interest in classical Indian dance can grasp the crux of these art forms and decide which one they resonate with most.
What Is The Difference Between Bharatanatyam and Kathak: Which is Right for You?
Everyone feels differently, everyone perceives differently, and especially with art, everyone experiences differently. There is no cookie-cutter policy when it comes to deciding which dance form to learn.
When it comes to deciding between Bharatanatyam and Kathak, the choice depends on your personality, interests, and cultural connection.
If you, as a person, value structure and discipline, then Bharatanatyam may be the dance form for you, as Bharatanatyam is known for its disciplined, controlled movements. It utilizes precise movements, detailed expressions, and colorful costumes to enchant the audience.
On the other hand, Kathak is a smooth, versatile dance form which emphasizes on swirls and turns to enchant the audience and portray a story, hence its nickname “the dance of the storytellers.” It uses swift movements, fluid footwork, and improvisation.
10 Differences Between Bharatanatyam and Kathak
There are some significant differences between Bharatanatyam and Kathak. These differences are discussed in more detail below. The purpose is not to determine: Bharatanatyam and Kathak which is better? but to appreciate the uniqueness of these traditions.
1. Origins and Regional Influence
Kathak is a dance form that finds its roots in Northern India. It gained its deserved projection from royal courts and royal ceremonies.
Bharatanatyam is believed to be born in Southern India. It started as devotional dance, performed in temples and religious gatherings.
2. Costumes: A Reflection of Tradition and Style
Kathak dancers used to adorn themselves with saris, and men used to wear dhotis in the beginning. As time passed, the use of lehenga and choli became common among women. Both these dresses allow free, unrestricted movement while contributing to the visual aspect of the dance.
Bharatanatyam dancers wear saris, but there are many different variations of saris which dancers choose to wear, depending on their preference, sub-style, and performance.
3. Music and Rhythmic Accompaniment
Music is an integral part of both Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance.
In Kathak, the North Indian musical instruments such as tabla, sarangi, sitar, and ghungroo are used. These instruments are aligned in sync with the dancer’s steps to portray the enchanting display of movement and music.
Bharatanatyam uses South Indian musical instruments such as veena, mridangam, violin, and nagaswaram. These instruments are vital for creating the environment and portraying the story that the dancer strives to perform.
4. Footwork: Precision vs. Speed
Footwork is a vital part of both these dancing traditions. Kathak is known to have faster and smoother footwork. The dancers wear ghungroos (footbells) which accentuate their movements. The epitome of Kathak dance is the rapid turn (chakkars) and complex rhythmic sequences delivered with breathtaking speed and control.
Footwork in Bharatanatyam is precise and controlled. The dancer strikes the ground in a sequenced pattern that aligns perfectly with tala. The synchronized footwork and beat of mridangam combine to produce a mesmerizing sight and sound.
5. Hand Gestures (Mudras) and Storytelling Techniques
In Kathak, hand movements accompany spins, glances, and dramatic expressions. Kathak dance is mostly improvisational and conversational. Unlike Bharatanatyam, there are no fixed hand gestures.
Bharatanatyam has mudras (hand gestures) and abhinaya (facial gestures). These are the tools that help the dancers narrate the story effectively.
6. Posture and Body Movements
Kathak dance tradition is known for having a straighter posture. This allows the dancer freedom to improvise and move across the stage. The circular movements, intricate turns, and graceful bends all combine to give Kathak dance its signature essence.
On the other hand, Bharatanatyam is famous for its half-sitting stance (aramandi). This stance is characterized by the outward bending of knees and a straight back. This makes the dancer more precise and grounded.
7. Speed and Dynamics of Performance
The gradual increase of speed from slow to moderate to fast is a special feature of Kathak dance. The dancer, using different speeds, creates a rhythm that resembles a conversational performance between the steps and the tabla.
Bharatanatyam progresses gradually, starting with invocatory pieces, followed by pure dance (nritta), expressive storytelling (abhinaya), and concluding with devotional sequences.
8. Themes and Storytelling Styles
The themes and storytelling of Kathak dancing tradition are a combination of royal and devotional. For example, the rasleela (the love between Krishna and Radha) is the devotional theme, while romance, playfulness, and storytelling are the essence that Kathak took from Mughal courts.
Bharatanatyam, which started as a devotional dance form, stays true to its spiritual and religious roots. It is based on love, devotion, and morality from Hindu scriptures. Descriptions and stories that revolve around Hindu gods and goddesses are an important aspect of Bharatanatyam.
9. Complexity and Learning Curve
Kathak dance, being more improvisational, gives breathing room for newcomers. But advancing into the intricacies and learning intricate turns and swift twirls is quite complex and requires years of practice and discipline.
Bharatanatyam dancing is very strict and rigid when it comes to building the base, hence it has gained the reputation of being very hard to learn. The dancer requires years of practice to master different aspects such as mudras, abhinaya, and complex footwork.
10. How to Identify Bharatanatyam and Kathak Easily
Difference between Bharatanatyam and Kathak are very obvious and notable.
To identify Kathak dance look for:
- Upright stance
- Ghungroo (footbells)
- Spinning movements
- Anarkali-style dresses/lehenga
To identify Bharatanatyam, look for:
- Outward bent knees
- Angular poses
- Expressive makeup
Learning Bharatanatyam and Kathak in Chicago
Chicago is a city where people of different countries and cultures feel at home. This is the reason the city has its vibrancy. Moreover, there are many institutes dedicated to teaching and promoting different classical and contemporary art forms.
Organizations such as Mandala Arts have been at the forefront of teaching classical Indian dance traditions. Masters and experienced teachers of Kathak and Bharatanatyam from all over the globe are invited to teach local dance enthusiasts.
Bharatanatyam is taught along with all its intricacies such as mudras, abhinaya, poses, and postures. Teachers from classical backgrounds are present to mentor new students in the locality of Chicago to reach their dancing goals.
The Kathak institutes have been operating with the mission to propagate the ideas, stories, and dancing traditions of Northern India. This mission is carried out by various institutes and foundations in Chicago.
Conclusion
It is important to celebrate diversity, as diversity breeds ideas and innovation. A society where diversity is welcomed is seen to be more tolerant and colorful. All in all, diversity makes a society more human.
Introducing different classical art forms is the best way to motivate locals to learn more about a culture. Institutes in Chicago are doing just that, by teaching Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance to Indian and non-Indian locals.
Bharatanatyam embodies devotion, discipline, and sculptural precision, while Kathak reflects elegance, rhythm, and narrative versatility. Bharatanatyam and Kathak may be very different but they both portray the timeless beauty of Indian classical dancing tradition.
Ready to Experience the Magic of Bharatanatyam and Kathak?
If you’re interested in learning a new dance form, or you just want to learn more about Indian culture and its dancing tradition, contact and reach out to Mandala Arts now to learn from the best Chicago has to offer—from simple first steps to Bharatanatyam and Kathak mastery.
Address: 410 S Michigan Ave, Suite 528, Chicago IL 60605 
Email: info@mandalaarts.org 
Contact: 312.620.0096
