Katha Dance Theatre

In June 2024, Katha Dance Theatre produced and presented a new dance work: Ganga: A Choreographic Odyssey. The show premiered at E.M. Pearson Theatre on the campus of Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota on the weekend of June 14. Ganga used Kathak to convey the universal importance of protecting and conserving water sources. Using the storytelling artform's trademark rhythmic footwork, pirouettes and gestural and facial expressiveness, Ganga emphasizes the crucial role the Ganges plays to Asian Indians and the similar role the Mississippi plays to Minnesotans--especially to indigenous communities. Using these mythological and real-life frameworks, Ganga calls for systemic change and urges audiences to take action against environmental destruction

The work-in-progress viewing of PRAKRITIR PRATISODH - Nature's Revenge, in November 2023 at The Cowles Center in Minneapolis, MN garnered a "Top 10 Most Memorable Dance Events" listing for 2023 from the Minnesota Star Tribune. With this production by Katha Dance Theatre, director/choreographer Rita Mustaphi created a new original work that portrayed our responsibilities, as people who share a planet, to address the cause and effect of climate change. Using Kathak's complex rhythms, intricate footwork, graceful movements, pirouettes and gestural storytelling, KDT's professional Kathak dancers brought this thought provoking dances that are relevant to our lives.

The word Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word Katha, meaning "a story." Rhythmic footwork, fast pirouettes, and complex movements characterize this graceful spontaneous dance. The form has its origin in the narrative tradition of the village minstrel, the 'Kathakars', who sang songs of heroic tales and dramatized their lyrics with subtle gestures and expressions. Around the 16th century AD, the art came from the temples to the royal courts, where it acquired secular elements of sophistication, especially in its pure dance passages. It also represented a unique synthesis of both Hindu and Muslim cultures, blessing Kathak with a unique balance of approach that makes it the most natural of all Indian classical dance forms. Kathak expresses abandon, yet it also carries a reticence that offsets this flamboyance and creates charm that is simply irresistible. We presented world renowned visiting Kathak artists from India, Saswati Sen and a dance company, Lokchanda Dance for performances here in Minnesota. We worked with artists to compose/record original music for our Fall 2024 show 'Panchatantra - the Dancing Tales of Wisdom. As for outreach performances we performed for (1) IndiaFest organized by the India Association of Minnesota for 1000 audience, Saraswati Puja and Vsant Panchami - the cultural celebration in partnership with the Hindu Society of Minnesota for 300 audiences, conducted educational lecture demonstration for schools in Bloomington school district for 300 students. We also toured Mayo Clinic at Rochester, MN to perform Kathak Yatra - the journey of Kathak dance.

Sadhana - After year long learning Kathak dance, a yearly performance for the KDT students was held in Hopkins High School, Hopkins, Mn. They performed all the dances and techniques taught by KDT Dance Teachers. Wearing Kathak Costumes, Jewelry and ankle bells, they danced in front of their parents, neighbors and friend with great enthusiasm and joy. 400 were in the audience

India fest -The Indian American celebrates their Independence Day on August 15th in front of the Minnesota State Capital with 20,000 attendees. KDT was invited to perform in their professional show..

. Saraswati Puja & Spring Festival - Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of Arts, learning, music and dance. KDT students performed in the temple of Hindu Society of Minnesota. They prepared flower garland, painted floor to decorate and performed the puja ritual. At the end, they performed dances meant for goddess Saraswati and advent of Spring. Sewa- Peformed in a Senior Center SEWA to support their genuine cause