Kathak dance is said to have originated in the temples of North India before finding its way into the royal courts of Awadh and Jaipur. Known as the dance of storytellers, Kathak comes from the word Kathakaar – the village minstrel who used subtle gestures and movements to enhance the dramatic element of the narrative. The narrative was most often from mythological legends. During the Mughal period, artistes served in courts for royal entertainment. It is during this time that the dazzling court Kathak, with its exotic costumes, Persian influence and intricate footwork, developed and flourished.

This graceful and spontaneous dance form reveals the poetry, mythology and spiritual ethos of its roots and also, importantly, India's rich Hindu-Muslim heritage. It is, of all the classical dance styles of the country, pre-eminently the one which renders tala, or the rhythmic aspect, as a central focus in its repertoire. Kathak as it existes today is characterized by intricate rhythm patterns sending the audiences into rapture for its sheer artistry, Rounds and fast spins coupled with varied footwork, improvisation and recitation of the dance syllables are the hallmark of this dance form.