Last week, I had the opportunity of a lifetime: I got to dance in the presence of Pandit Birju Maharaji. For five days straight I got to see him and dance with his senior students. It all seems like a dream to me. He choreographed many popular dances for Bollywood actors and actresses such as Madhuri Dixit, Kamal Hassan, and Deepika Padukone. I am beyond thankful that I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to dance under somebody that great.

Although Birju Maharaji is a god to classical Indian dancers like myself. He is the leading exponent of Kathak in the Lucknow gharana. However he is commonly known for being the current god of all classical Indian dance forms. The story starts 7 generations ago with the first known Kathak teacher and Maharaji's direct descendant, Ishwari Prasadji. One night, Lord Krishna came in Prasadji's dream and told him to re-establish Kathak. He then taught his sons Adguji, Kharguji and Tularamji the art of Kathak until he turned 100 years old. The three sons also dedicated their lives to Kathak and passed it on the their sons. Adguji had 3 sons: Prakashji, Dayalji and Harilalji. Following the death of their father, they all came to Lucknow because they were appointed the court dancers for Nawab Asafuddaulah.

Prakashji had 3 sons: Maharaj Durga Prasad, Maharaj Thakur Prasad and Maharaj Maan Prasad. Maharaj Thakur Prasad was the Kathak Guru of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Maharaj Durga Prasad had three sons: Bindadin, Kalka Prasad and Bhairon Prasad. Bindadin began punctilious Kathak training at the age of 9. It is said that Bindadin practiced tatkar, the basic footwork of Kathak, for 12 hours a day for 4 years. Bindadin gave many performances across India. He, along with Kalka Prasad, are known as the founders of modern-day Kathak. Kalka Prasad had 3 sons: Aacchan Maharaj, Lachhu Maharaj, and Shambhu Maharaj. Aacchan Maharaj received training from Kalka Prasad and Bindadin, becoming a master Bhav, Laya, and Taal. Additionally, he was able to do chakkars (spins) very well even with his heavy stature. Bindadin told Shambhu Maharaj to treat Aacchan like a son and teach him Kathak. At 14, Aacchan’s mother brought him to Rampur estate to be the court dancer. After 4 more years training, he returned to Lucknow and propagated Kathak.

Pandit Birju Maharaji was born to Aacchan, who realized his talent at a very young age. On my first day with Birju Maharaji, he talked about staying at the dance studio all day, even before he could walk and talk. He said he would just crawl around and soon enough he stood up and began to dance. His father, and both of his uncles taught him Kathak. Not only is Birju Maharaji a dancer, he is a great musician. He sings and he can play every instrument, but he never had training in either of those things.

I feel so blessed that I was able to work with such a talented person and even dance in the same show that the Pandit Birju Maharaji danced in.