A Taste of Devotion in Dance: Kathak, Bhakti, and Rasa

Abstract

The article "A Taste of Devotion in Dance: Kathak, Bhakti, and Rasa" by Hannah R. Stoltenberg examines Kathak, a North Indian classical dance, as a profound form of religious connection and expression, deeply influenced by the Bhakti movement. The article emphasizes that Kathak is not merely entertainment but embodies and exhibits the influential Bhakti theory of rasa (aesthetic and devotional flavor/essence). Stoltenberg explains how rasa, as an experiential concept, is developed through the portrayal of emotions (bhavas) in dance, making it a personal and communal devotional experience. The article details how Kathak dancers, through their rigorous training and performance, consecrate space as sacred, convey Hindu mythological stories (especially of Radha and Krishna), and embody divine qualities. It highlights the dance's connection to darshan (sacred seeing) and its ability to make complex spiritual concepts experientially accessible. The article also discusses how Kathak shares core devotional qualities and formal elements with Raslila, a folk drama re-enacting Krishna's dance. Ultimately, Stoltenberg argues that Kathak functions as a sadhana (spiritual discipline), transmitting bhakti and transcendence through sensory engagement, allowing both performers and audiences to experience divine bliss (ananda).