What is so special about the Kathak syllabus?

Kathak examinations have been taking place in England since summer 2000. The syllabus is now attracting interest from dance schools in Germany and India.

Ionna has been teaching Kathak in Berlin for the last 5 years and most of her students are Germans. She visits India regularly and is keenly aware of the teaching and examination system there. She feels that the ISTD syllabus incorporates all the essentials of the teaching of Kathak and has expressed an interest in following the ISTD Kathak syllabus in the class and entering her students for the examination. Ionna says that following this syllabus will assist her in 2 main areas: firstly, it will help her to structure the class better, and secondly, the students will have a goal to work towards. There are several syllabuses available from different examination boards in India, but Ionna had this to say about the ISTD syllabus: 'They all seem a bit too much. The ISTD syllabus is very clear and easily accessible to students who live outside India.'

Perhaps what puts the ISTD syllabus on a truly international scale is that it is gaining recognition from traditional teachers in India.

Shila Mehta is a Kathak teacher in India with a centre in Mumbai (Bombay). She has a very individual style of teaching and was never interested in following a syllabus for her students until she saw the ISTD one which she thinks appropriate even for the students in India. She said, "instead of trying to train a performer, the existing syllabus in India expects student to be equally knowledgeable in the theory of the dance. As most students initially take up Kathak as a hobby, this undue emphasis on the academic aspect can be off-putting". Shila also made a valuable statement regarding the prevention of injury, postural and back problems in Kathak dancers. She felt that by including 'Anga Shuddhi', a section on posture and stance, and also by making students aware about it from early training days it will help the dancers maintain a healthy body. And finally, she added, Indians love examinations and foreign qualifications. The idea of having another piece of paper from a recognised organisation in England is always exciting!

Sujata Banerjee