Indian Dance is a form of worship & spiritual fervor. Kathak is a North Indian Classical dance. In ancient India every temple had Natya Mandaps and it's group of dancers. Their teachers were a class of highly studied Brahmin Pundits who passed on knowledge (by word of mouth). These narrators were called Kathaakars (Katha - story & Karas - one who tells). So Kathak dance derived its name from them. 'Kathan Kare so Kathak Kahaye'. Kathak was a dance unfolding numerous stories of Gods & Goddess. Gradually it developed into a medium of expression within the framework of a systematic classical art form governed by the principles of the Natya Shastra.

Tradition has it that a request from Indra, for a form of dance, led Brahma the creator, to create a dance form by distilling the essence of the Vedas. The text from the Rig Veda, the music from the Sama Veda, the actions from the Yajur Veda and the aesthetic aspect from the Atharva Veda. This dance was compiled as the 'Natya Veda' enclosed with dignity and sanctity, and passed on to mortals through Bharat Muni who compiled it into the Natya Shastra.

Around the 10th centenary B.C. dance developed a distinct regional style. Kathak, though born in temples, later flourished in princely courts. It became at one time a form worship and entertainment. The rise of Mughal empire shifted the emphasis of dance as a form of worship and influenced the style of presentation. The Bhakti cult which swept he country from the north to south during the 14th, 15th century greatly affected kathak dance. Suitable adjustment in the repertoire were made in technique and execution, but the Hindu myth & legend communicated itself.

Kathak has a dual aspect of presentation, the Nritta & Nrittya or the Tandvan & Lasya. The former is pure dance; technically intricate combinations of 'bols' forming pieces of dance, compete in themselves within the frame work of a time measure the 'taal'. The Jaipur School of kathak emphasis the Nritta. It reached remarkable heights of achievements in sheer skill, technique & speed and is characterised by precise pieces of dance, jumps & pirouettes leading to a fluid display of rhythmic wizardry.

The Nirttya includes the Abhinaya, Poetry in action. Here the aesthetic appeal is brought out through subtle facial expressions mime & action. The climax is the 'tatkar', in which intricate rhythmic combinations are presented through footwork. The 'parhant' or recitation of dance pieces is a part of a Kathak performance. The Jaipur school of Kathak has a clearly demarcated presentation. It is infused with Veer Rasa, strenuous & powerful.