Tatkar

Hindi

Kathak footwork — the rhythmic language of the feet.

TechniqueKathak

Meaning

Tatkar is the footwork of Kathak, built on syllable patterns spoken as bols and struck out by the feet with the ankle bells sounding each beat. It is practised at increasing speeds within a tala cycle and is the foundation on which a Kathak dancer's rhythmic vocabulary rests.

Also written: tatkaar

Related words

ChakkarThe fast spins characteristic of Kathak.TihaiA phrase repeated three times to land on the first beat.AbhinayaThe art of expression — making meaning visible.AdavuThe basic unit of Bharatanatyam movement — its alphabet.TribhangiThe three-bend stance central to Odissi.AramandiThe half-sitting stance that defines Bharatanatyam's line.

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