Kathak comes from the word katha or stories; a kathaka is a storyteller. Literally, this translates to Kathak dancers enacting stories from Hindu mythology - the great epics of Mahabarata and Ramayana - through abhinaya (mime and acting). On a more abstract level, a kathaka must captivate the audience and bring them into his or her world throughout a performance. The kathaka accomplishes this by speaking to the audience in between segments or compositions, and describing the story—imparting pieces of knowledge, artistry and humor along the way.

A solo art form that developed in the Hindu temples and Moghul courts of North India from 1300 to 1900, Kathak was traditionally performed by one dancer for a small, intimate audience for several continuous hours. The dancer would display technical prowess with challenging footwork and pirouettes, rhythmic virtuosity with mathematically complex compositions and refined bhao with graceful, subtle storytelling. The performance would also feature a live orchestra, adding to the intensity of the experience. Highly improvised and created in the moment, the traditional solo is considered the highest level of mastery in Kathak. A Kathak dancer is an exceptional technician of percussive footwork who sings, performs poetry, acts, and recites rhythmic compositions with speed, accuracy and clarity.

Pandit Chitresh Das is not only a master of the solo Kathak tradition but also a pioneer, who established Indian classical dance in the West. Under his guru Pandit Ram Narayan Misra, Pandit Das was trained in both the Lucknow and Jaipur schools of Kathak – combining in his artistry the graceful, sensual elements of the former with the powerful, dynamic movements of the latter. Arriving in the U.S. in 1970 on a Whitney Fellowship to teach Kathak at the University of Maryland, Pandit Das has since established one of the largest Indian classical institutions in North America, with branches in California, Boston, Canada and India, that teaches over 500 students worldwide. A prolific artist, his traditional performances, choreography and evolution of Kathak have influenced the art form overall. Pandit Das explores the boundaries of Kathak technique and performance, creating compelling new works and techniques that are inventive, yet deeply rooted in the Kathak tradition. He sees art as a service to society, and devotes time to those in need. He teaches children in the slums of India as well as in the Blind Opera of Kolkata, and the project he deems the most important project is teaching empowerment and self-awareness through dance to the daughters of sex workers, in partnership with the New Light Foundation in Kolkata, India.

Pandit Das' relationship with the Boston area runs deep. His senior disciple, Gretchen Hayden, is the artistic director of the Chhandam Institute of Kathak Dance, Inc. (Chhandika), a dance institution dedicated to preserving, teaching and promoting Kathak in the Greater Boston area. Ms. Hayden has been dedicated to Pandit Das’ teachings since the early 70’s when she was based in California. Ms. Hayden and MITHAS, under the co-leadership of George Ruckert, have presented Pandit Das to ecstatic crowds several times in Boston. Most recently, Pandit Das’ collaboration with tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith, India Jazz Suites, presented by World Music/Crash Arts and Chhandika in April 2010, was selected by the Boston Globe as one of the Top 10 performances in Boston during 2010.

This fall, New England area residents have the opportunity to see this world renowned master in action at "Master of Tradition - Pandit Chitresh Das in a Traditional Kathak solo" presented at Yale University on November 5th, 2011. In addition, Pandit Das and Jason Samuels Smith will perform in "India Jazz Suites" in Portland, Maine on November 16th.

For more information about the performance at Yale, please visit: www.yalemasteroftradition.eventbrite.com
For more information about India Jazz Suites in Maine, please visit: http://portlandovations.org/shows/2011-12/india_jazz_suites/  

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