Sama and Kathak: A Comparative Study

Sama in Qadiriyya (the Sufi path) and Kathak in Hinduism are the most well-known dances. Both are intertwined with religious beliefs and consider dancing as one of the ways to communicate with spiritual world. In addition to the aesthetic aspects, ritual dances have mystical, religious and narrative meanings that have evolved over time. According to the views of Qadiriyya sect, the mystic tries to communicate with the supernatural world during the Sama. Using the analytical-comparative method, the present article describes the similarities and differences between the two types of dances and shows the influence of Qadiriyya and Hinduism on each other on this issue. The findings show that despite the ritual and religious differences, there are common structures in the two dances. Kathak dance, as performed in Hindu temples, is rooted in the worship of the Creator and in some aspects of form and content is similar to Sama. Kathak seems to have been influenced by the Qadiriyya's Sama and underwent changes during the reigns of the Delhi kings and the Mongol emperors, through cultural ties between Islam and Hinduism.