Ira Patkar, the kathak artistic director and the founder of Mudrakar Kathak Dance School in Canberra, Australia. Kathak is a classical dance style which is originated in Northern India. The word Kathak is derived from katha, meaning "a story", and hence the word Kathak means a storyteller. Kathak dance is a unique blend of the ancient with the modern and offers scope for creativity. It means emotive storytelling through hands and facial expressions. Kathak has a divine beauty of yoga and mudras.