Steps and swirls: A befitting tribute to Pandit Birju Maharaj

Lucknow: The 88th birth anniversary of the Kathak doyen, ‘Birju Maharaj Jayanti Samaroh', was celebrated with dance performances and a film documenting his life and times, on Thursday. Pandit Birju Maharaj was a dancer, composer, singer and exponent of the ‘Kalka Bindadin' gharana of Kathak. Organised by Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan at Kala Mandapam, the event comprised performances by troupes of dancers from Assam and Ahmedabad. Mother and son duo Marmi Meghi and Meghranjani from Assam presented ‘Ganesh Vandana' in the Lucknow gharana style to the tune of ‘Tejore kamla pothi' andconcluded the performance with ‘Mayur chaal' (peacock walk) and ‘Ashv chaal' (horse trot).
A short film on the life, struggles and contribution of Pandit Birju Maharaj was screened. The film shows ‘kathiks' (those who narrate story through dance) came from Handia, Allahabad to Awadh during the reign of Nawab Asaf ud Daula and documents the struggle of Birju Maharaj. After the death of his father, he learnt Kathak at the age of nine from his uncles Shambhu Maharaj and Lachchhu Maharaj and later tutored students to support his family. The film featured how he established himself and his choreography in films like ‘Shatranj ke Khiladi', ‘Devdas', ‘Dedh Ishkiya' and ‘Bajirao Mastani'.Last performance was by the troupe led by Kumudini Lakhiya from Ahmedabad. The troupe performed Kathak in Lucknow gharana style in an act titled ‘Ab hum kahan jayenge', focusing on life, its depth, mysteries and struggles.Chairperson of BMKS, Kum Kum Dhar Chowdhury said, "The contribution and legacy of Pandit Birju maharaj will live in our hearts forever. Everytime we presented the traditional Kathak of Lucknow gharana developed by Birju Maharaj, he expressed his wish that it should be promoted far and wide." Chief guest was Purnima Pandey dancer and former Vice Chancellor of Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya.