Archive · 26 Jul 2026
Padma Shri Shovana Narayan Launches Book on Kathak and Sculptures
Padma Shri Dr. Shovana Narayan, a famous Kathak dancer and bureaucrat, has written a new book called 'Speaking Sculptures: Karanas in Kathak'.
This book shows how ancient Indian sculptures from the Indus Valley Civilization to the 17th century are connected to the Kathak dance form.
Dr. Narayan spent forty years studying these sculptures and found that the 108 karanas, which are the basic movements in Kathak, are also seen in these ancient carvings.
This means that Kathak dance has roots that go back much further than previously thought, and it is not just a creation of the Mughal courts.
The book was launched in New Delhi with important cultural figures present, and Dr. Narayan's disciples performed a dance to show how the karanas are still alive in Kathak today.
Dr. Narayan has balanced her career in bureaucracy with her love for dance and writing, showing that one does not have to choose between different passions.
Padma Shri Dr. Shovana Narayan launched her new book 'Speaking Sculptures: Karanas in Kathak' in New Delhi.
The book explores the connection between Kathak dance and ancient Indian sculptures from the Indus Valley Civilization to the 17th century.
Dr. Narayan argues that Kathak has roots in ancient Indian dance theory, challenging the traditional view that it emerged solely from medieval Mughal courts.
The book features 108 karanas, which are the foundational units of coordinated movement described in the Nāṭyaśāstra.
The launch event was attended by eminent figures such as Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, and Dr. Bharat Gupt.
- Who
- Padma Shri Dr. Shovana Narayan
- What
- Launched a new book titled 'Speaking Sculptures: Karanas in Kathak'
- When
- Recent evening in New Delhi
- Where
- New Delhi
- Why
- To explore the connection between Kathak dance and ancient Indian sculptures, challenging traditional views on the origins of Kathak
Traditional View of Kathak Origins
Narayan's Perspective on Kathak Origins
Origins of Kathak
Traditional View of Kathak Origins
Kathak emerged solely from medieval Mughal courts.
Narayan's Perspective on Kathak Origins
Kathak carries a continuous thread of ancient Indian dance theory, as evidenced by sculptures and the Nāṭyaśāstra.
- Author
- Padma Shri Dr. Shovana Narayan
- Book Title
- Speaking Sculptures: Karanas in Kathak
- Launch Location
- New Delhi
- Key Figures Present
- Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Dr. Bharat Gupt
- Book Focus
- Connection between Kathak dance and ancient Indian sculptures
- Time Period Covered
- Indus Valley Civilization to the 17th century
- Number of Karanas
- 108
- Significance of the Book
- Challenges long-accepted narratives about the origins of Kathak