Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dance. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathakars or storytellers. Its form today carries on aspects of temple and ritual dances from the era of the bhakti movement. From the 16th century onwards it absorbed certain features of Persian dance and Central Asian dance, which were imported by the royal courts of the Mughal era. The name kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word katha meaning "story", and katthaka in Sanskrit means "he who tells a story", or "to do with stories". "Kathaa kahe so kathak" is a saying many teachers pass on to their pupils, which is generally translated as "she/he who tells a story, is a kathak", but which can also be translated as "that which tells a story, that is 'Kathak'". There are three major schools or gharana of Kathak from which performers today generally draw their lineage: the gharanas of Jaipur, Lucknow, and Banaras. Kathak is famous for its intricate footwork, play on rhythms, swift circles, graceful movements and expressions.