BSEH SS Dance Kathak study guide
BSEH SS Dance Kathak · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The BSEH Senior Secondary Dance (Kathak) credential is a Haryana Board subject examination for senior secondary students who have chosen Kathak as a formal elective rather than a hobby class. It suits candidates who already train under a guru and now need academic recognition of that training, and it combines a written theory paper with a practical performance assessment, so both your recall of terminology and your body on stage are examined. The BSEH SS Dance Kathak study guide has 10 sections and about 2,658 words.
01Origin, History and Evolution of Kathak
This section examines the long transition of Kathak from the repertoire of kathakars-storytellers who recited and enacted-to a formal court and concert dance. You need chronology, cause and effect, and a clear distinction between documented history and popular origin stories.
300 words, about 2 min02Gharanas of Kathak: Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras and Others
Questions test whether you can identify a gharana by its lineage, accompaniment, repertoire emphasis and stylistic choices-not merely by a city name. Lucknow: associated with the Kalka–Bindadin lineage.
280 words, about 1 min03Technical Vocabulary and Terminology
You must define technical terms precisely and recognise them in a performance description. Confusing a tukra with a toda, or a paran with a gat, is a common scoring loss.
297 words, about 1 min04Laya, Tala and Rhythmic Structures
This domain tests tala recognition, bol knowledge, laya calculations and the ability to explain sam, tali and khali without confusing them. Tala is a cyclic metrical framework; matra is a beat; vibhag is a section; avartan is one full cycle.
270 words, about 1 min05Nritta, Nritya and Natya
Questions ask you to separate pure dance, expressive dance and dramatic representation, and to classify repertoire items correctly. Nritta: abstract, rhythmic movement with no intended bhava or story.
245 words, about 1 min06Abhinaya, Bhava, Rasa and Navarasa
You must distinguish abhinaya’s four channels, identify navarasa, and explain how bhava becomes rasa rather than merely naming emotions. Angika: movement of body, limbs, hands and face.
234 words, about 1 min07Repertoire: Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, Bhajan, Padam and Gat Bhao
This domain checks whether you can match a song form or expressive item to its language, mood, tala and performance function in Kathak. Thumri: light-classical, often Braj or Awadhi, with shringara and sahitya-centred abhinaya; commonly set in dadra, kaharba or related cycles.
268 words, about 1 min08Costume, Makeup, Stage Presentation and Accompaniment
Questions cover costume logic, makeup, stage craft and the roles of tabla, pakhawaj, harmonium, sarangi and vocal support. Answers should connect presentation choices to gharana and repertoire.
264 words, about 1 min09Notable Exponents and Their Contributions
You must match exponents to gharana, lineage and contribution without reducing careers to a single item. Lucknow: Bindadin Maharaj, Kalka Prasad, Acchan Maharaj, Lacchu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj shaped composition, thumri and abhinaya.
240 words, about 1 min10Practical Performance: Technique, Footwork, Chakkars, Expression and Improvisation
The practical domain tests whether you can describe and diagnose technique: footwork, spins, expression, improvisation and ensemble coordination. Answers should be specific about sam, posture and breath.
260 words, about 1 min