Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj will perform in Pune

Kathak ghungroos’ across Pune should now ring with added zing, considering that India’s foremost kathak exponent, Pandit Birju Maharaj, will perform in the city early next week.

The maestro will perform at the two-day Khushbhoo Lucknowi’ kathak fest organised by Kalachhaya at the Kalachhaya auditorium in Gokhalenagar on December 29 and 30, along with his children Jaikishan, Deepak, Mamta and granddaughter Shruti Shukla.

Speaking to TOI from Kolkata, the maestro seems excited about the event. “A very good kathak festival is being organised and I am looking forward to performing in Pune. My disciple Saswati Sen and my children and granddaughter will also perform on both days.”

Heaping praise on Kalachhaya’s founder director Prabha Marathe, the organiser of the festival, Birju Maharaj says, “Prabhaji’s bhakti’ (devotion) for the Lucknowi style of kathak is remarkable. She began teaching kathak in Pune several decades ago. I still remember teaching at Kalachhaya in the early years. Prabhaji apne iraadon pein majboot hain’ ( Prabhaji is focused on her goals).”

Explaining why men have made a mark in kathak, he says, “Two of our most popular gods, Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna, were both excellent dancers. Also, in many parts of Uttar Pradesh, where the kathak style of dance originated, it was impossible for women to travel to faraway places to perform. It was simpler for men to travel by cycle, bullock cart and horseback to distant villages. Hence, men began performing kathak in temples and palaces to support their wives and children. In fact, even today, in many villages of Uttar Pradesh, the menfolk pursue kathak and farming as parallel occupations. My own uncle is a dancer and farmer rolled into one!”

According to the maestro, in later years, kings and princes promoted the dance form among women. Singling out the states of Maharashtra and Bengal, Birju Maharaj says, “It was these two states that added the devotional touch to kathak. The teachers in these states highlighted the importance of riyaaz’ (practice) and abhyas’ (study).”

The Lucknow gharana doyen is happy that the younger generation is still learning kathak, but he is worried about the western winds blowing across the world of music and entertainment in the country. “There is too much emphasis on Bollywood music on our television channels and too little of good quality Indian classical music and dance on prime-time television. There should be a balance,” he asserts.

However, he is happy that Indian artistes continue to woo western audiences. Says the ace dancer, “I have just returned from a one-month tour of Europe with singers Rajan and Sajan Mishra. We received a standing ovation at almost every venue across Europe. That is a compliment for Indian classical music and dance.”
Date: December 29 and 30

Time: 6.30 pm

Venue: Kalachhaya auditorium, Gokhalenagar, off Senapati Bapat road

Festival schedule

December 29:

Kathak solo by Shruti Shukla

Performances by Kalachhaya students

December 30:

Solo performances by Jaikishan, Deepak and Mamta Maharaj

Solo by Saswati Sen

Bhaav Rang’ by Pandit Birju Maharaj.

Art show: Birju Maharaj’s paintings will be on display at the Indiaart Gallery in Gokhalenagar from December 30 - January 4.

Birthday felicitation: Birju Maharaj and Prabha Marathe will be felicitated on their respective 71st birthdays.

Source : http://punekar.in