28/05/2026
As per epigraphical and historical records available, the Brahmin Kathak performers has dotted the religious and cultural scenario of India ever since the Mauryan period. Kathaks or the Kathak log were entrusted with the task of spreading moral and religious values to people who were not entitled to learn the scriptures or listen to the discourse of dharma.
Wajid Ali Shah was a musician, poet and dancer and he received training in Kathak as 'ganda-bandh shagrid' from Durga Prasad. Even though a Muslim of the Shia branch of faith, he not only became a disciple of a Hindu Kanyakubj Brahmin Kathak, he was also influenced by the rasadhari performers and raasleelas of Vrindaban. More than thirty-six rahas productions were staged during his brief rule in Lucknow. He participated in the cast of a yogi in saffron robes in the rahas productions. These festivities centred on Hindu mythologies and came to be known as Jogiya Jashan. Several dancers received training in music and dance in Parikhana established by the Nawab.
In frame: a light indigo natural dyed jamdani dress with a taupe jamdani stole in handspun cotton, inspired by the erstwhile Awadh jamdani.
[ Love for the Loom, Ganga-Jamuni, Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, Awadh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Calcutta, Jamdani, indigo, Natural Dyes, Kathak, Wajid Ali Shah]
