Question

Under whose patronage did Kathak grow into a major art form?

Answer 1

Hint: The term Kathak derives from the word Katha, meaning "story" and Kathakar, meaning "the one who tells a story" or to do with stories" while its origin is traditionally attributed to the kathakars.

Complete answer:
Under Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, Kathak developed into a major art form. Kathak is a style of dance-related to northern India. Kathak was performed in the court under the Mughal emperors and their nobles, where it acquired its current features and evolved into a form of dance with a distinctive style. Native to North India, Kathak is one of the six types of Indian classical dance. Kathak developed as a storytelling system within Hindu temples to depict the epic tales of Hindu scriptures, Mahabharata, and Ramayana. To assist in worshipful storytelling, poetry was coupled with a rhythmic motion.

Through their hand movements and comprehensive footwork, their body movements, and versatility, Kathak dancers say different stories, but particularly through their facial expressions. During the Bhakti movement, Kathak developed, particularly by integrating the childhood and stories of the Hindu god Krishna, as well as in the courts of northern Indian kingdoms independently.

Note:
He was a poet, a playwright, a dancer, a great art patron. The revival of Kathak as a major form of classical Indian dance is widely attributed to him.