Kathak dance’s percussive footwork, lyrical movement and basis in spirituality, bound through resonance and vibration, will be Moraga’s focus for this work. Mantram, or chant, is drawn from Vedanta-considered the world’s oldest, unbroken oral tradition. The evening will also feature Moraga premiering an excerpt of her new work Mantram. Kathak artist Charlotte Moraga has evolved within tradition, infusing her own unique voice in the Kathak field. Our students will learn foundational hand and leg movements. Our kathak classes focus on the theory, abhinaya (expression), and technical components of dance. Moraga, a principal dancer with the Chitresh Das Dance Company for 20 years, has imbibed the solo tradition, following in the footsteps of her Guruji, the late Pandit Chitresh Das. Originating in Northern India, Kathak is presently recognized for its rapid spins (chakkars) and fast footwork accompanied by hundreds of ankle bells (ghungroo). The kathak solo is a performance art tradition unique to kathak. This performance features celebrated Kathak artist, Charlotte Moraga performing a traditional kathak solo accompanied by one of the world’s leading masters of tabla, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri.
July 21 - 23, 2017 on Z Space's Main Stage | A World Premier Opening performance by the Chitresh Das Youth Company. The legs and torso are generally straight, and the story is told through gestures such as arm and upper body movement, facial expressions, neck movements, eye, and brow movement, stage. Z Space and the Chitresh Das Institute present: Art of KathaK A Kathak solo performance by Charlotte Moraga accompanied by tabla master Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. The Kathak dance form is distinguished by its emphasis on rhythmic foot movements adorned with small bells (Ghungroo), and the movement harmonized to the music.