Kathak, storytelling through Indian Classical Dance
Just a few more weeks before the One Planet – One People Yogafestival takes place. During the opening on Sundayevening there will be a special performance of Kathak by Saumya Shukla.
A little bit about Saumya Shukla
Saumya Shukla lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and is an artist & teacher of the North Indian Classical Dance – Kathak. She’s appreciated for her elegant, effervescent & expressive style of dancing and her unique methods of teaching this traditional Indian art form to students all around the world. Saumya considers herself a student for life, immersed in understanding the historical & philosophical connections of dance & culture & finds her love for storytelling fulfilled through this art form. She aspires to build a bridge between communities through culture, by collaborating with artists of different art forms & nationalities & finding common themes through stories, human emotions & movements.
Encouraged by her parents to learn Kathak, she began her journey at age 9 at the Alaknanda Institute for Performing Arts, Noida, India. Her guru is renowned Kathak Exponent Guru Alaknanda Kathak. Through the training and performing in her Guru’s productions & choreographies, Saumya started to discover the technical, expressional & spiritual aspects of Kathak at an early age. A dancer for over 20 years, Saumya has performed to diverse audiences at several major national and international dance festivals.
As a teacher of Kathak dance, Saumya idolizes her Guru’s training methods. As she entered her senior years of Kathak training she was encouraged to train the beginners & intermediate students of her institution. It is there that she developed the skills of being a patient, and adaptable teacher, and explaining the nuances of the dance techniques, in the most simplistic manner. Over the years, Saumya has been making efforts to carry the legacy of this dance form through teaching & workshops, in India and Abroad.
What is Kathak
Kathak is an Indian Classical Dance form known for its storytelling through rhythmic footwork, facial expressions, and graceful movements. Kathak dance has a traditional and cultural heritage that gives it the status of the Indian classical dance form. The technical and aesthetic aspects associated with Kathak have been passed onto generations verbally as an oral tradition. Like the majority of the art forms of India, Kathak thrives on the Guru-Shishya Parampara or the teacher-disciple tradition.
What to expect during the festival
At the opening evening of the festival Saumya will give a performance. She will amaze the audience with her presentation!
From monday to friday you can join in her 4-day workshop: “Kathak: The Art of Movement and Mindfulness”
About the 4-day workshop “Kathak: The Art of Movement and Mindfulness”
This 4-day workshop introduces participants to Kathak – the classical dance form of North India -as a pathway to self-awareness, joy, and inner expression. Through rhythmic footwork, hand gestures, and storytelling, you’ll experience how movement itself can be a meditative and healing practice.
Although we won’t be doing formal Yoga, we will explore how Kathak naturally brings us closer to Yogic qualities like:
● Breath awareness
● Focus and presence
● Emotional clarity
● Unity of body, mind, and spirit
No previous dance or yoga experience is needed. Just come with an open heart and comfortable clothes!
4-Day Workshop Overview
(2 hours per day, open-level)
Day 1: Rhythm & Grounding
Theme: Feeling your body, breath, and the earth Kathak Focus:
● Posture & basic stance
● Tatkaar: rhythmic footwork
● Taal (rhythm cycle): clapping and counting
● Walking with rhythm (padhant)
Day 2: Gesture & Breath
Theme: Learning to speak with hands and breath Kathak Focus:
● Basic Hastaks (hand movements)
● Mudras and their meanings
● Breath-led movement
● Mirror work: awareness of body lines
Day 3: Expression & Emotion
Theme: Letting emotions flow with movement Kathak Focus:
● Abhinaya: facial expressions, eye movements
● Exploring one rasa (emotion): joy or love
● A short expressive piece (storytelling with gesture)
● Silent movement + inner listening
Day 4: Integration & Offering
Theme: Bringing it all together – movement as prayer Kathak Focus:
● Combine rhythm, gesture, and expression
● Group piece: a short sequence danced together
● Introduction to Pranam: a Kathak gratitude offering
● Sharing circle
Who Can Join?
● Open to all levels, no prior training required
● Designed for people curious about movement, mindfulness, and culture
What You’ll Take Away:
● A grounding in the basics of Kathak
● Confidence to express yourself through movement
● A deeper sense of presence, rhythm, and emotional clarity
● A new understanding of how art can be a spiritual practice
How Is Kathak Connected to Yoga?
Yogic Principle Found in Kathak:
- Asana (Posture) Graceful body alignment and movement
- Pranayama (Breath) Matching breath with movement and emotion
- Dhyana (Meditation) Deep focus during rhythm and storytelling
- Bhakti (Devotion) Expression as a heartfelt offering
- Rasa (Emotion) Exploring joy, peace, love through Abhinaya (expression)
Kathak becomes a form of moving meditation – we dance not just to perform, but to feel, connect, and express.
Explore grace, rhythm, and expression through Kathak -a journey into inner stillness and joy.
