The Impact of Social Media on the Practice, Perception, and Popularity of Kathak Dance

Kathak, one of the eight classical dance forms of India, has historically been preserved and transmitted through oral traditions, live performances, and guru-shishya parampara (teacher-disciple lineage). In recent years, however, the rise of social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook has significantly influenced how Kathak is taught, performed, perceived, and disseminated. This research explores the multifaceted impact of social media on Kathak dance, examining both the opportunities it presents—such as increased visibility, global engagement, and online learning—and the challenges it raises, including cultural dilution, loss of depth in training, and commodification of the art form. Through a qualitative analysis of social media content, interviews with Kathak practitioners, and review of relevant literature, this study seeks to understand how traditional practices adapt in the digital age and what this means for the future of Kathak.