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Kathak is one of the eight major forms of Indian classical music, bread out of the folk art tradition called tatkar. Taught traditionally by guru to shishya (student) in one-to-one session on an empty stomach, it’s essentially a verbal conversation between guru and shishya. In this delightful mood-music, a group of four ‘shaloks’ sing to the accompaniment of a single tabla. The ‘shaloks’ are four different characters who each play a distinct role in the story. The principal artiste is a beautiful woman whose every move is described in the lyrics. In her beauty, she attracts all kinds of lecherous eyes from the surrounding menfolk, and she mercilessly rids them off one by one. The other three characters are her male counterparts – one who desires her for himself, another who lusts after her wealth and third who dreams for an alliance with her to assist him in obtaining the much-sought-after power and wealth. But all these three are soon reduced to ashes at the end of the story. Only one remains, the fourth character who yearns for her beauty, even though he can never get her. "जलप्राह में पूछा क्या ओ?...." (Why are you playing with me?...Don’t you know I am Yours?) Thus begins the introductory ‘shloka’ which is sung by a young man who is in love with a young woman. “ इतनी बड़ी है, कर मार के लो करके …” (She is so fair and beautiful; why don’t you take her?) The two other male characters echo the same feelings of admiration for her beauty. The tabla-player (dhinakarta) begins his voice over to narrate the story. He is a greedy character who has an eye on her belongings and wealth. He first tries to win her by pleasing her with the simplest of things, such as touching her feet or taking a seat opposite her. But none of those overtures move her; she is only interested in him as a friend and companion and is not willing to share him with anyone. He then resorts to more powerful measures: he tries to lure her by giving presents of jewels and gold. But all that does not work either – she is unimpressed. He then shouts at her, demanding that she give him what he wants – but still no response comes from the young lady. cfa1e77820