PaniditBirjuMaharaj

1938-2022

Birju Maharaj was born on 4th February 1938. Maharaj Ji as he was fondly called, was a noted poet, singer, composer, dancer and choreographer. He was born in a family of famous dancers which included Achchan Maharj ji and Shambhu Maharaj Ji. In modern dance world he is synonymous to Kathak Dance. He was born in Varanasi, his father Jagannath Maharaj was a famous court dancer in the princely state of Raigad. At the age of 9 he lost his father who was his role model. He started his dance journey from then on under his uncle's Shambhu Maharaj ji. At the age of 13 years he started teaching at Sangeet Bharti, New Delhi and later at Kathak Kendra. He opened his own dance institute Kalashram in 1988. Birju Maharaj ji won various awards and Honours. He received Padma Vibhushan from Indian government in 1986; he also was awarded with Sangeet Natak Academy Award and Kalidas Samman in 2002. He is also the recipient of he received the Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar. He alsowonNationalFilmAwardforbestphotographyandFilmfareAwardsalso.

Birju Maharaj ji died at the age of 83 due to cardiac arrest on 16 January 2022 hewasbornbyoneandallandhewillalwaysbemissed

"Nadanamamani" Dr Janaki Rangarajan represents the future of Bharatanatyam dancers Since the age of 4, Janaki has been passionate about communicating through dance As a result of her self-motivation, passion, and dedication to Bharatanatyam, she has created an undeniably unique dance style. Dance lovers around the world have hailed her for her unique approach to Bharatanatyam. Janaki believes in maintaining the integrity of tradition and explores her creativity without compromising the classicism of the dance.

Janaki is the co-founder of Kalashraya, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting Indian classical art.

She travelled around the globe taking her productions which were loved enormously by massess and critics.

She started learning at the tender age of 4 under the tutelage of Smt Madhavi Chandrasekhar in Trichy.

After that She trained under Dr. Padma Subramanium for over 15 years She did her arangetram in the year 1993.

She is a well versed in carnatic music She trained unde the tutelage of Smt. Kamala Viswanathan in voacl and veena

Later she underwent advance training in vocal with Sri D K Nagarajan, younger brother of Smt D K Pattamal and Sri D K Jayaraman.

She is recipient of numerous awardsandaccoladesincluding: Naanamamani, Nritya shiromani , SIngar mani, straus Fellowship for choreography 2010 Metro DC Awardamongmanyothers.

She one of the most loved and popularbharatanatyamdanseuseof thecurrentgeneration.

Her Role Model Her Role Model Her Role Model

Professionally- Not one but a few- Artist that have a clear voice with in depth research and integrity in their work.. socially conscious Art that is well thought of inspires me.. personally, the only role model that is close to my soul is my பா (my grandmother)

Most Inspiring Most Inspiring Most Inspiring Moment Moment Moment

Advice To Advice To Advice To Younsters Younsters Younsters

Don’t expect quick results- Surrender to Art completely and work hard. Your talent is nothing without hard work. Learn constantly and empower yourself in all aspects of the art form. Let the Art lead you organically!

SAD MEMORY SAD MEMORY SAD MEMORY FROM DANCE FROM DANCE FROM DANCE JJOURNEY JOURNEY OURNEY

Many but the one etched in my mind is the exhilarated feeling that I experienced as a very young girl watching the greats from the last row of Krishna Gana Sabha - I saw not just BN and those moving images still inspire me as I understand myself

Nothing sad- Even so, it was a learning experience.

Your Massage To Rasikas Your Massage To Rasikas Your Massage To Rasikas

Genuine appreciation, knowledge based feedback and not just support by attending but attend by buying tickets to help the Art community thrive!

Kud dance is performed during nights in honor of gods ‘Lok Devtas’ as a thanks giving ritual. Dance by young and old alike. Special Musical instruments like Chhaina, Drums, Narsingha and flute are used in this dance. It is generally performed in centre of mountains in and around Jammu during rainy season. People from nearby villages join the local farmers in the celebrations. Everyone is in their best attire and dance through thenightandcelebrateinafestivespirit.

Dumhaldance

Dumhal` dance is a famous dance wherein Dancers are dressed up sporting colourful coloured gowns and conical caps studded with beads and appearance definitely beautiful. It is completed with the aid of using handiest adult males of Wattal at some point of unique occasion. This dance could be very special from all of the dances completed that's completed on set places and the set occasions..There is a unique ritual way wherein dancers should dance and abanner is dig into the floor and dance typically takes to the air with institution of guys dancing round this banner. Dancers sing in a melodious voice in refrain and they're joined with the aid of using drum beats in between.

Roufdance

This dance style is practiced on festive occasions such as Eid and Ramzan. Performed by a group of women facing each other, the most striking feature of this dance style is the dancer's footwork. This is commonly pronounced "ruf" in villages and "row" in towns. It is performedattheonsetofSpring.

Bhandpather

Bhand Pather is a theatrical dance. it includes both play and dance making it captivating for the audience. It projects the normal lives, traditions and evils prevailing inthesociety.

Hafizadance

It is a dance that is performed at weddings and is a form of Kashmiri traditional dance. There is a special instrument used in this dance known as Santoor that contains almost hundred strings and is played with thehelpofsticks.

Bachhanagma

Bachha Nagma is performed at cultural gatherings or special functions perfomed only by Boys or men dressed as boys. Perfomed in group of 6 to 7 members with one of the dancers leading as singer andothersjoininaschorus.