Kathi Dance is a Folk Dance performance from the West Bengal state of India. The coordination of hand and leg are its speciality. Kathi dance was originally performed by the lower cast in the state.
The songs of Kathi dance depict the stories of daily occupation of the villagers and mostly performed by male dancers. Beating of sticks in coordination with rhythmic foot-work makes it special. The dance follows a circular pattern with first forming pair with the right side dancers and then with left side dancers.
The Kathi dance resembles a war like scene in some of its movements and the participants shout while dancing. The performers dress themselves with shirts made out of leopard skin and dhotis. Heavy anklets adorn their legs which produce rhythmic sound in coordination with the drums and sticks.
