Talent shows must promote classical dance forms: Pt Birju Maharaj

(From the files: This interview for PTI was done before Pt. Birju Maharaj was to perform in New Delhi in November 2005)

"I find peace in dancing. There is a kind of 'madhurata', which you can experience when you are truly involved in it."

New Delhi, Nov 20, 2005 : Internationally renowned Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj has come out strongly against talent shows in television which "lure children with exorbitant prize money and thus keep them away from classical dance forms." 

"In TV dance shows such as 'Boogie Voogie' children are made to dance for film songs and an exorbitant amount of money is showered on the winners. This trend will spoil the children and keep them away from Indian classical dance forms," says Pandit Birju Maharaj.

"These programmes, which corrupt the minds of children, are multiplying every day and are being promoted well. But there is not even a single programme based on classical dance forms," says the Padma Vibhushan awardee. 

Though Birju Maharaj has his reservations towards these talent shows, he is hopeful that this "temporary trend will soon give way to shows that promote Indian dance forms." "This trend is a temporary one. Once the promoters of these shows and the parents of the children who participate in these shows realise the importance of Indian classical dances, they will definitely come back to them," he says. 

"Once parents realise that the trend their children are following will take them nowhere, they will ask them to take up classical dancing," says the 68-year-old Kathak exponent from the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of Lucknow. "My mother, who was my inspiration, always used to tell me to follow two things: one, not to give up practising at any cost and second, to carry forward the legacy of my father, Achhan Maharaj," he says. Parents should help their children realise the relevance of Indian classical dances. 

Stressing on the need for sponsorship to promote classical dance forms, he says, "The corporates and MNCs who promote only film actors and cricketers must come forward to promote classical dances. The government must also take steps to promote these dance forms which are unique to India." 

Birju Maharaj, who received the Sangeet Natak Akademy Award when he was 28, also has command over Thumri, Dardra, Bhajan and Ghazal singing and is also a percussionist. 

"I find peace in dancing. There is a kind of 'madhurata' (sweetness) that you can experience when you are truly involved in it. For me, dance is a form of seeing God," says the legendary dancer who has given a new dimension to Kathak by experimenting with Thumri, Dardra and Bandish in dance-dramas. 

He has also directed and composed music and sung for classical dance sequences in films such as Satyajit Ray's 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi', 'Dil to Pagal Hai', 'Gadar' and 'Devdas'. On the portrayal of Kathak in films, he says, "It was always used to be portrayed as a dying art form and the director used to mix Mujra and Cabaret with it. Today, Kathak is sparingly used in films and thank God, it is being given due respect and is not portrayed in a negative manner." 

Working for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Devdas', he says, was a "good experience". "Madhuri Dixit is a dedicated disciple. She had attended my workshop in San Francisco and learnt the nuances of Kathak before the shoot. She performed to my satisfaction in the film. "You rarely get such disciples who leave a mark," he says. 

Birju Maharaj is widely acclaimed not only as a performer but also as an inspiring 'Guru' and has successfully trained numerous students in India and abroad. "Some students come and go, making no difference. But a few, the dedicated ones, work hard and shine. I choose them to carry forward the family tradition of Guru-shishya parampara." 

For a person who is the recipient of several awards, including Kalidas Samman, Nritya Choodamani and Nritya Vilas and honorary doctorates from Banaras Hindu University as well as Khairagarh University, each honour brings in "more responsibility". 

"Every award I receive adds responsibility on me. It helps me to remember that the next time I perform, I have to be better. But awards have never made me proud," says Birju Maharaj. "I have dedicated my entire life to practising, performing and teaching Kathak. Today, I have reached a stage where no response or reaction of the spectator can stop me from performing." 

~ GDN