ROLE OF MUSIC EDUCATION THROUGH THE GHARANA PADDHATI - ITS GROWTH, IMPACT ON CONTEMPORARY KATHAK REPERTOIRE, AND INFLUENCE ON SOCIETAL PERCEPTION OF ART

Indian performing arts originated in temples as Katha Vachan, later moved to Mughal and Hindu courts, and returned to temples during the Bhakti movement. An important outcome of this period was the Nathdwara Parampara of Pakhawaj playing, which developed in the 15th century at the Vaishnav temple of Nathdwara, Rajasthan, and is closely associated with the Pushtimarg sampradaya. The style was first created for temple rituals by Vallabhdasji and later continued by Shankarji during Ashtayam Seva. His son, Ghanshyam Pakhawaji, preserved the tradition and authored Mrdanga Sagar. This parampara is known for complex paran compositions offered as devotional prayers to Lord Shrinathji, blending rhythmic intricacy with spiritual bhava. This paper examines the development of the NathdwaraPakhawaj tradition and its influence on modern Kathak repertoire through prachinbols of parans, dhrupad, dhamar, and raslila. The tradition expanded Kathaks creative scope while reinforcing its devotional roots, helping reshape societal perception of the dance from the stigma of Nautch Girls Dance to a respected classical and spiritual art form.