Jaipur Gharana
Jaipur gharana is one of the three main schools of North Indian Kathak dance.
Characteristics
Artists from this gharana give a great deal of importance to speed and their repertoire consists of big todas and parans. The chakkar of one is considered to be a specialty of this school. Dancers are also famed for their vitality, stamina, and energy, as well as exciting and captivating performances. Powerful and intricate tatkar and speed are defining features of Jaipur gharana. Artists are more devoted to the religious and spiritual aspects of dance rather than to pure technique. Compositions about Radha/Krishna are the most widely performed.
Today, the Kathak Kendra in New Delhi and the one in Jaipur, Rajasthan are considered to be leading institutions for the training of young dancers.
Famous Dancers
Several names stand out in the history of this gharana. Narayan Prasad emphasized the poem in Kathak, while Banu was the first artist to be a devotee to Lord Shiva. He was captivated by the tandav style of Kathak, and taught it to both of his sons, Bhalu and Khanu. Khanu went to Vrindavan (where Radha grew up), and became a devotee of Lord Krishna. Later, he went to Rajasthan.
Jaipur gharana artists are largely responsible for protecting the art of Kathak dance, most especially during the Mughal period in India, when the very foundation of the art was threatened. The most well-known artists from this school are: Harihar Prasad, Hanuman Prasad, Durga Prasad, Shyam Lal, Mohan Lal, Chironji Lal, Narayan Prasad, and Gauri Shankar.