KATHAK DANCE: FOSTERING SUFI-INSPIRED LIFESTYLES, REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT, AND PREVENTING SUICIDE

This research explores the multifaceted impact of Kathak dance, a traditional Indian art form, on the mental well-being and professional outcomes of practitioners. Drawing on a diverse literature review, encompassing historical perspectives, cultural studies, and dance scholarship, the study focuses on the integration of tradition and policy, the adoption of a Sufi-inspired lifestyle, entrepreneurial practices for unemployment reduction, and educational initiatives within the Kathak community. The methodology employs Smart PLS4 for structural equation modeling, emphasizing the quantitative exploration of these variables. Through a cross-sectional design, the study aims to uncover the intricate relationships between these factors and practitioners’ mental well-being and suicide prevention. The research contributes to the fields of dance studies, cultural preservation, and mental health by offering insights into the dynamic interplay between tradition, policy, lifestyle, and education in the context of Kathak. Keywords: Kathak dance, mental well-being, suicide prevention, tradition and policy integration, Sufi-inspired lifestyle, unemployment reduction, educational initiatives, Smart PLS4, structural equation modeling, cultural studies.