Rhythmic Expressions, a Kathak dance performance by Rani Khanam and group, is being organised by the Indian embassy in partnership with Katara - The Cultural Village and Qatar Museums as part of the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture.
The event will be held at Drama Theatre (Hall No 16), Katara, at 6.45pm tomorrow; Al Khor Community at 6.30pm on March 15; and the Indian Cultural Centre at 7pm on March 16, the embassy has said in a statement.
Kathak is one of the eight classical dance forms of India and an amalgamation of three art forms – music, dance and drama. ‘Katha’ is a Sanskrit word for ‘story’ and the Kathakars communicate stories through rhythmic foot movements, swift spins, hand gestures and facial expressions .
Khanam has been honoured for her courageous and pioneering work in Kathak, and also for creating awareness and addressing critical issues of society such as equality and social justice for women, persons with disabilities and HIV/Aids.
The performances include a stylised dance form, ‘Andaz-e-Raqs’, highlighting the contribution of Persian culture, where the costumes play an intrinsic role in the kinetics of choreography. ‘Yamuna Namah’ will showcase the significance of the river Yamuna in India, while ‘Shri Nand Nandan Nachat Sudhang’ is based on the story of Indian mythology.
Also, ‘Basant Hori’ showcases the essence of spring, and ‘Tarana’ is a dance sequence to bring out the essence of melody and rhythm. ‘Chaap Tilak Sab Cheeni’ is a soulful performance about eternal submission to the creator, the statement explains. The musical concert will end with ‘Nritya Gati’, which presents intricate compositions, rapid movements, complex footwork and elegant facial expressions to communicate a sense of pure joy of rhythm. The Indian embassy has welcomed all to experience Kathak as a symbolic representation of the multidimensional nature of the dance.
