Lucknow Gharana

Lucknow gharana is a main branch of North Indian Kathak dance famed for its beauty and grace.

Characteristics

Dancers from Lucknow gharana were greatly influenced by the Mughals and subsequently place more emphasis on dance movements rather than the spiritual side of Kathak. Facial expressions are highly developed and essential to the style. Tatkar, as well as ghat bhav, are not very important. Artists prefer smaller tukdas (as opposed to long todas) and the speed and power seen in Jaipur gharana are not evident here.

The dance bols also vary considerably from other gharanas; the most common are: thun thun, kitataka, tungha, and natitata.

Famous Dancers

Bindadin Maharaj was the most famous exponent of Lucknow gharana and created a repertoire of over six hundred different thumri, many of which are still performed today.