Expressive Dance (Nritya)
Nritta + Abhinaya = Nritya
Aside from the traditional expressive or abhinaya pieces performed to a bhajan, ghazal or thumri, Kathak also possesses a particular performance style of expressional pieces called bhaav bataanaa ('to show bhaav or 'feeling'). It is a mode where abhinaya dominates, and arose in the Mughal court.
It is more suited to the mehfil or the darbaar environment, because of the proximity of the performer to the audience, who can more easily see the nuances of the dancer's facial expression.
A thumri is sung, and once the mood is set, a line from the thumri is interpreted with facial abhinaya and hand movements while seated. This continues for an indefinite period, limited only by the dancer's interpretative abilities.
PS: The text of thumri is romantic or devotional in nature, and usually revolves around a girl's love for Krishna. The lyrics are usually in Uttar Pradesh dialects of Hindi called Awadhi and Brij Bhasha. Thumri is characterized by its sensuality, and by a greater flexibility with the raga.
Bollywood Connections
The most famous Hindi Movies in which some amazing Kathak dance is performed are:
Pakizah - By Meena Kumari
Mughal e Azam - By Madhu Bala
Devdas - By Madhuri Dixit
Dil to Pagal Hai : By Madhuri Dixit
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