Question

how has kathak developed as one of the most popular dance forms of north india?

Answer 1

Kathak is one of the 10 main genres of ancient Indian classical dance. 

The Kathak dance form traces its origins to the nomadic traveling bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathakars or storytellers. Its form today contains traces of temple and ritual dances and the influence of the bhakti movement.

Kathak originated within the Hindu temples as a means of portraying the epic tales contained within the Mahabharata and Ramayana, Hindu scriptures. The Kathakars communicate stories through rhythmic foot movements, hand gestures, facial expressions and eye work. This was well acknowledged by the courts and nobles of the Mughal period.

Since most of these happened in the Northern part of India, Kathak became a popular dance form in north India. 

Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu and Kathakali from Kerala are considered to e other important Indian classical dance forms associated closely.