Eminent Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj passes away

When Birju Maharaj, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Modi had come together

New Delhi

2016 was an eventful year. By March that year Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not even two-years old in the coveted office and the 'sickular' army were still rejoicing the success of Bihar assembly polls when casteists got together to hand over a defeat to the BJP in November polls the previous year.

The so-called 'polarization' of India’s intellectual class was deep and it was difficult to express an opinion and that would still be considered an objective one. If one said and wrote anything laudatory about the Cultural Festival on the banks of river Yamuna, one was anti-environment and was also in the danger of being called a communal or bought over by Narendra Modi’s charm and machinations.
 
The Art of Living of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had organised the cultural extravaganza the World Culture Festival.

Grand show of 2016: Sickularists tried to sabotage

For the Prime Minister, it was an opportunity to display 'India's soft-power', for his detractors it was a display of Hindu prowess and so that ought to be sabotaged. 

Media organisations generally took an anti-government line, so did activists.  

All sorts of arguments were built up.

Nevertheless the show went on successfully and of course the highlight was 

the coming together of '1000' disciples of Kathak from Kalashram of Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj ji.

"Being a performer myself, what caught my attention was the grand scale of some of the scheduled performances

—1,000 Kathak dancers performing to the choreography of the high priest of Kathak, Pandit Birju Maharaj, and 

1,000 singers singing verses by Rabindranath Tagore," Shubha Mudgal later wrote in a newspaper article.

The Prime Minister in his speech at the inaugural show gave credence to his strong conviction of 'soft-power' and said that, 

"We can make contribution (of India’s soft power) only when we ourselves feel proud of our culture. But if we continue to curse ourselves, then how will the world look towards us.The world is not only united by concerns of economic growth, but also by human values and India can play a vital role in it".

Kalashram is a reputed dance-learning institute founded by the illustrious Birju Maharaj, who passed away on Sunday.

Brij Mohan Nath Mishra, (4 February 1938 – 17 January 2022), popularly known as Pandit Birju Maharaj, was 

an exponent of the Lucknow "Kalka-Bindadin" Gharana of Kathak dance. 

He was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, which includes his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj 

and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj. 

Now, as one ponders about analyzing the three-day fest, reference to a western maxim would make sense,

“Obedient sheep are not known for their creativity”.

PM Modi and two other masters in their own fields, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Late Birju Maharaj

would always defy definitions and in their own wisdom declined to play obedient sheep. 

This has always shaken the foundation of the 'established' Indian intelligentsia’s faith in itself.

 A mixture of distorted principles of Marxism, Nehruvian secularism and the western style of democracy 

pose a kind of challenge for guiding India’s future.

These often either separately or as a mixed bag play the role of negative catalysis in India’s transformation.

At the end of a three-day event in March 2016, the cultural bonanza had achieved some kind of success as it 

evoked certain positive vibes at least about the values and importance of unification of the various 

civilizations of the world. 

                             

British Prime Minister David Cameron had invited Ravi Shankar to address the House of Commons. He also

sent in a powerful message saying, "People say that no one can change the world but Sri Sri has 

made a good start. We are seeing a ray of hope".

The Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who could not attend, had invited Sri Sri through his message 

to hold the next festival in his country. Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos also sent a message.

What do these laudatory words and actions suggest?

One, amid the big debate the media and others had plunged into supporting the so-called pro-environment 

brigade and discrediting the show.

Next question - What’s the real power of India getting its hold as a “soft power” in global context?

In fact, PM Modi’s stress on “human values” would be a lasting India’s strength and in it India can actually 

manage to enlist the support of other oriental powers. 

In later period of course, Yoga became another buzz word globally and in 2021 American political

leaders were busy lighting Diwali lamps.  

Homage Guruji.

ends  

New Delhi

Eminent Kathak maestro and recipient of India's second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, Pandit Birju Maharaj has passed away.

He was 83. Birju Maharaj ji was a lifelong Kathak guru as well as a talented Hindustani classical singer.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his death.

"The demise of legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj marks the end of an era. It leaves a deep void in the Indian music and cultural space. He became an icon, making unparalleled contributions to popularise Kathak globally. Condolences to his family and admirers," the President said in his tweet. 

In a Twitter missive, Mr Modi said, Late Birju Maharaj had played a pivotal rolein taking India's rich dance tradition to the global stage.

"His demise is a great loss to the entire world of art," the Prime Minister said in his tweetin Hindi. 

Maharaj was also associated with the film world.

“I have two idols. You can call them the guiding light of my career. Lataji (Mangeshkar) is in hospital. Panditji is gone. I can’t believe it. For me, his  dancing manifests the most beautiful emotions of life," said ace directorSanjay Leela Bhansali.

"When Panditji danced, we knew there was beauty and hope and salvation in existence".

Birju Maharaj ji also taught and choreographed Madhuri Dixit among others.The choreography of  'Kahe Chhed Mohe' in 'Devdas' was one such number. 

He not only choreographed 'Kahe Chhed,' he also wrote the lyrics, and sang the number with Kavita Krishnamurthy. 

Madhuri Dixit also had the privilege and opportunity of being choreographed by Maharaj twice again, in Yash Chopra’s 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai' (1997), and in 'Dedh Ishqiya'. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Maharaj reunited again in the former’s Bajirao Mastani (2015). This time, the muse was Deepika Padukone.

 “I have two idols. You can call them guiding light of my career. Lataji (Mangeshkar) is in hospital. Panditji is gone. I can’t believe it. For me, his  dancing manifests the most beautiful emotions of life. - Sanjay Leela Bhansali 

When Panditji danced, we knew there was beauty and hope and salvation in existence.

All could never be lost as long as Lataji sang and  Panditji danced. It wasn’t easy to get him to do the choreography of  'Kahe Chhed Mohe' in Devdas. I was  adamant. It had to be Panditji. He had scores of offers before Devdas (2002), and he had turned them all down. I insisted. He  finally agreed. He loved me like a son. Couldn’t say no to me. Finally, he not only choreographed 'Kahe Chhed,' he also wrote the lyrics, and sang the number with Kavita Krishnamurthy. I don’t think Madhuri Dixit has ever danced better.”

Dixit had the privilege and opportunity of being choreographed by Maharaj twice again, in Yash Chopra’s Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997), and Abhishek Choubey’s Dedh Ishqiya. Maharaj spoke very highly of Dixit’s dancing  abilities. When he met Dixit the  first time, Maharaj wanted to see her do the 'Ek Do Teen' signature step from Tezaab (1988). All kinds of dance forms fascinated Maharaj. To him, the universe was a dance.

Bhansali and Maharaj reunited again in the former’s Bajirao Mastani (2015). This time, the muse was Deepika Padukone.