New documentary short airing on KBTC introduces Northwest audience to Kathak dance from South Asia
Ethnomusicologist Dr. Ameera Nimjee was four when she began studying music. “My parents got a piano by happenstance,” Nimjee says, “so they put me in piano lessons.” Thus began her life-long love for music.
“I began studying this field, ethnomusicology quite early on.” Nimjee says. Ethnomusicology is the study of music and culture and how each informs the other.
“I was born in Toronto but my family had a very long migratory history through many different places,” she says. With roots in both India and Pakistan, Nimjee was drawn to Kathak as a way to explore her heritage. Kathak is a centuries old dance form from South Asia and one of the only Indian classical dances that has been influenced by both Hindu and Muslim cultures. Nimjee was taught by Joanna de Souza.
‘Kathak’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘katha,’ which means ‘story.’ Kathak dance is based on storytelling from Hindu mythology and the Islamic Mughal courts of India.
Nimjee is currently a professor of Ethnomusicology at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA.
Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery
Story Credits:
Directors/Producers:
Laila Kazmi and Antonio Gomez
Cinematographer/Editor:
Jeff Axtman
Camera Assistant:
Branson Gustafson
Music:
Bol-Paran, Compositions by Joanna de Souza, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Pandit Chitresh Das; Recording by Pandit Ramesh Mishra, Ritesh Das, Bertie Kibreah
Riwaaiyat, Music by Matthew DelCiampo
KBTC Production
