By our Guest Editor Sandip Soparrkar
King of Kathak turns a year older
Just few days back almost the entire dance community was celebrating the birthday of the legendary Kathak Maestro Padma Vibhushan Birju Maharaj. Especially the Kathak lovers were all making frantic calls, sending emails and gifts to wish their favourite Kathak dancer and Guru all the best on his 79th birthday.
He is a living legend, but humility could well be Pandit Birju Maharaj’s middle name. I have met Maharaj ji only on two occasions but, I must admit that he has an elephant’s memory. My first interaction with him was when he came to give away the winner’s trophy (Takdeer ki Topi) on my hit dance reality show ‘Dance India Dance’ on which I was the jury along with director Farah Khan. And the other time was when I went to Delhi and visited him at his dance class, where he introduced me to his super talented family.
I still recollect, during the shooting of the dance show, Maharaj ji was sitting besides me and giving takes after takes for long hours without any starry tantrums. Once slowly he whispered in my ears ‘Can I get something to eat, I am diabetic and I think my sugar is getting low.’ That is the time hell broke loose on the set and almost everyone came forward to offer him variety chocolates, candies, sweets, mithais and more. The humble person that he is, said, ‘Sandip give me 2 pieces of your glucose biscuit that is all I need.’ This is how I will always remember the maestro, extremely humble, soft spoken and down to earth.
Thinking of the memorable movements we had spent together, I called him to wish him for his birthday and to talk to him in general. Here are a few things that we spoke:
How did you spend your birthday?
I was in Lucknow at my ancestral place, where people had organised a heart warming show for me, where students performed on my compositions. I felt completely overwhelmed, what better way can it be that everyone was celebrating my birthday dancing.
What did you do in Lucknow?
Our house has been turned into a museum sort. I took out time and saw all my cloths of my childhood. I also saw Angarkhas and other outfits of my Guru’s and family members. ‘Some of my clothes are there but I dont fit into them anymore’ he said and laughed like a young boy.
Best gift you received this birthday?
Some of my close friends came home to meet me. Shekhar Sen, chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi, Pandit Rajan Sajan Misra, came and we all sang, it was like a Mehfil. Everyone danced and sang non-stop, with students dancing, friends singing what more can I ask for. That is the best gift ever I feel.
Let us talk about Bollywood, who is your favourite dancer?
Madhuri Dixit is indeed my favourite, it is a pleasure to work with her, she has attended my workshops too. She has no ego hassles and even after a dance sequence is okayed, she asks for suggestions. I get many offers to choreograph for films but turn most of them down. I taught Kamal Haasan a few Kathak steps for his film Vishwaroopam. He is a very eager learner I enjoyed teaching him.
Maine Deepika Padukone ko Bhajirao Mastani mein Teek Tak nachwa diya (I made Deepika dance ok in Bajirao Mastani) and got filmfare award for it too, I am happy.
How would you rate today’s actresses?
Just the other day, I was watching Katrina Kaif on Television, Uss ko naachna nahi, hilna bolte hai’ (it is not called dancing, it is called shaking). But it is not her fault at all what is given to her she does that with sincerity, I can’t really blame her for the dance and the moves. There was a time when Waheeda Rehma, Vyjayanthimala, Hema Malini and Meena Kumari danced, that was mesmerising. I liked Helen too, she never looked vulgar while doing all those cabaret songs. Before I choreograph a song I ask a director, ‘heroine kapde pehnegi na?’ (will the heroine wear cloth?), this is because I can’t imagine a song choreographed by me being presented in a vulgar way.
Your advice to filmmakers of new generation?
All I can request today’s directors is that, please go ahead and put commercially successful songs with exciting moves in the film, put all the item songs and lovemaking song but, please put one song promoting Bharatiya Sanskriti and Sabyahta (Indian culture and tradition) even if the song is of a short duration it should be fine, but do promote our roots
After my talk with Maharaji I spoke to his senior most disciple, the very graceful and elegant Saswati Sen ji or Saswati didi like she is popularly called by all dancers. I asked her about how she felt about her Guru turning a year older, to which she replied right from her heart. ‘Till date I have never come across a person who so is a maestro, a real genius of art in a true sense. Maharaj ji is a dancer, singer, composer, poet, writer, musician, painter, percussionist and above all an inspiration to millions world over. He has touched my life and made me who I am today, each time I am with him, either dancing or just being around when he is creating a new composition, I thank Lord for truly blessing me with a guru and a mentor like him. I wish him a life filled with art, may he always keep blessing us with his presence and never ending knowledge.
I happened to mention about my talk with Pt. Birju Maharaj and Saswati ji to one of Maharaj ji’s foremost students. My dearest friend, the gorgeous Vijayshree Choudhary, who has is also the Hirkani Awardee and has learnt Kathak under the guidance of Maharaj ji for many year. Talking to her made me realise the love, his students have for his is everlasting. She told be details of how he would teach them, and how all the students were in awe of him and his dance style. Vijayshree ji too wished him for his birthday in a true Shishya (disciple) manner.
She said, ‘With deepest respect, I wish my guru a very happy birthday, Maharaj ji has been a resounding inspiration in my life, he not only taught me the intricacies and nuances of dance, but also shared a deep understanding of the essence of life. He shared with me the wisdom of how dance influences human life, our emotions, our decisions, our energies, how one can establish a connection with nature in order to learn its divine lessons and how nature ultimately teaches us everything, you need to absorb about dance and life. All that I know about kathak and the important of dance in our lives has come through him. His dedication to the preservation and growth of this classical art form is an inspiration to one and all. With deepest gratitude and respect, Charan Sparsh (I touch your feet) is all I can say.’
Every dancer I spoke to was brimming with joy congratulating the legend and wishing him a life filled with dance, happiness and good health. The love that the dance community has for Maharaj ji is rare to see, he is one fine gentlemen who is loved by one and all.
I am trained in Ballroom and Latin American dances, but I remember one thing he told me, He said ‘Sandip, dancer Indian style ka ho ya international western ka, a dancer is a dancer. Why to differentiate between them? A dancer means, one who is dedicated, who offers his life to God (dance), that’s a complete Dancer.’
Today with my article I would like to wish the King of Kathak, abundance of Love and a journey filled with dance and music, may he spread the joy of his art in the life of each and every artist. Happy Birthday Maharaj ji.
Sandip Soparrkar is a well known Ballroom dancer and a Bollywood choreographer who has been honoured with National Achievement and National Excellence Award by the Govt of India. He can be contacted on sandipsoparrkar06@gmail.com
