eighty fifth Start Anniversary of Kathak Maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj: Remembering instances he choreographed for Bollywood, his work and awards

Kathak Maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj: Pandit Birju Maharaj was the face and torchbearer of Lucknow’s Kalka Bindadin Gharana, the maestro of Kathak and certainly one of India’s most revered and cherished artists. Legendary Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj enthralled audiences for greater than 60 years along with his performances and choreography.

Pandit ji, a pioneer in Indian classical dance, obtained the Padma Vibhushan in 1986 for his achievements within the performing arts. It was solely on the age of 13, that he started coaching as an Indian classical dancer.  On January 17, 2022, Birju Maharaj handed away on the age of 83. The nation celebrates his eighty fifth birthday on February 4 this 12 months.

Remembering Pandit Birju Maharaj by way of his work, awards and well-known songs he choreographed. 

Pandit Birju Maharaj’s work

Birju Maharaj belonged to the legendary Maharaj household of Kathak dancers, which incorporates his father, Acchan Maharaj, and two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj. He choreographed a number of fashionable Bollywood songs and is acclaimed for his experience in Indian classical dance. 

Pandit ji was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1986 within the area of performing arts. For his work in Vishwaroopam, he obtained quite a few awards, together with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Grasp Deenanath Mangeshkar Award, Sangeet Kala Ratna, Bharat Ratna Bhimsen Joshi Classical Music Life Achievement Award and the Nationwide Movie Award for Greatest Choreography in 2012.

Pandit ji gained a number of nationwide and worldwide awards. He obtained honorary doctorates from Banaras Hindu College and Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya as nicely.

He was a gifted poet, Kathak dancer, and dynamic public speaker who was particularly expert in Thumri, Dadra, Bhajan, and Ghazals. His poetry encompasses a various vary of topics, together with satire, trendy poetry, and Krishna Bhakti. His writing is completed underneath the pen title Brij Shyam.

Well-known Bollywood songs choreographed by Pandit Birju Maharaj

In motion pictures like Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj ke Khiladi in 1977, Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Devdas (2002), Vishwaroopam (2012), Bajirao Mastani (2015), and Kalank, Birju Maharaj choreographed a number of notable dance scenes (2019).

Considered one of his favorite college students was Madhuri Dixit, with whom he collaborated on the movies Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Devdas, and Dedh Ishqiya. He additionally designed the choreography for Mohe Rang Do Laal, which Deepika Padukone discovered to bop Kathak for within the film Bajirao Mastani. Alia Bhatt obtained coaching from Pandit Birju Maharaj earlier than performing within the 2019 Bollywood tune Ghar Extra Pardesiya.