Kathak
![Kathak danseuse Arushi Nishank performing at Lucknow Kathak Sansthan.](/Images/godic/202501/22/Arushi_Nishank_20110717.jpg")
![Kathak dancer Richa Jain performing the chakkarwala tukra, one of the many popular highlights of Kathak](/Images/godic/202501/22/Kathak_3511900193_986f6440f6_b_retouched0717.jpg")
![Kathak performance by Sharmila Sharma and Rajendra Kumar Gangani at the Guimet Museum (November 2007)](/Images/godic/202501/22/Sharmila_Sharma_et_Rajendra_Kumar_Gangani_20717.jpg")
![State of 'sam' performed by Manisha Gulyani](/Images/godic/202501/22/Manisha0718.JPG")
Kathak (Hindi: कथक) is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dance. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathakars or storytellers. Its form today contains traces of temple and ritual dances, and the influence of the bhakti movement.