Latest news with #BirjuMaharajKathakSansthan
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Lucknow: New 5-storey Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan to be ready by April
A new five-storey building for Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan is under construction in the city and is expected to be completed by April next year. The ₹40.96 crore project is being executed by UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Limited. Currently situated in Qaiserbagh, the institute will shift to the new facility located near police headquarters on Shaheed Path, Lucknow. (Sourced) Currently situated in Qaiserbagh, the institute will shift to the new facility located near police headquarters on Shaheed Path. The building will have an underground parking lot, Kathak museum, a conference room, a library, a seminar room, faculty rooms, classrooms, a computer room, a recording room, a mess, two guest suites and a dormitory for students. Auditoriums will be constructed on the ground, first, and second floors for cultural programmes at nominal charges, said principal secretary, culture and tourism, Mukesh Meshram. 'Kathak is the pride of the city and Lucknow's Kathak Gharana holds national importance. The institute earlier lacked proper infrastructure, but now modern hostels, auditoriums, and classrooms are part of the plan,' he added. President of Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan, Kumkum Dhar, said the new facility is being built on 4,510.65 square metres of land. 'It will allow us to run postgraduate courses and research work, apart from existing diploma and undergraduate programmes, after obtaining approvals from Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. Hostel availability will attract students from across the country to learn this art form,' she said.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Kathak is incomplete sans Lachchhu Maharaj's touch'
1 2 Lucknow: Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan paid tribute to Kathak legend Pandit Lacchu Maharaj through 'Guru Smaran', a commemorative event, at Rai Umanath Bali auditorium on Saturday. The evening commenced with students presenting 'guru ashtakam'. Chief guest Anil Rastogi, a veteran actor and senior dramatist, shared personal memories of his association with Lacchu Maharaj. "His insightful feedback on Darpan's theatrical productions was invaluable to me as a director," Rastogi recalled. Prof Mandavi Singh, who has researched the maestro's contribution, emphasised his significance to Kathak. "The art form is incomplete without Lacchu Maharaj's innovations, his influence was so profound that my guru, his student, mentioned him daily, inspired me to research on him," she said. The highlight of the evening was a documentary showcasing Lacchu Maharaj's illustrious journey, from his early training under his father and brother to his successful stint in Hindi film industry, where he choreographed iconic films like 'Mughal-e-Azam', 'Kala Pani' and 'Pakeezah', besides his photographs while teaching his students and several performances. BMKS president Kum Kum Dhar Choudhary, director Sanjay Kumar Singh and assistant director Tuhin Diwedi were present.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
At 62 or 6, Kathak knows no age at workshop!
The participants at a 30-day Kathak workshop that began at Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan belong to entirely different backgrounds. From a school student to nurse, housewife and even a retired banker, people from different walks have enrolled themselves for the workshop and what unites them is their passion to learn the classical dance form. Before entering the Sansthan where the classes are being conducted under the supervision of Kathak performer Upasana Dixit, they leave the stress of their personal and professional lives outside just to step in the shoes of a learner. The workshop began earlier this week, and every day begins with a revision of the last morning's lesson before they start with the new steps. The workshop is attended by mothers like Mamta Tiwari (48), Sapna Awasthi (46) and Geetanjali Rai (47) who could not find time for their hobbies first due to their studies and later getting busy raising their kids, and taking care of their families. 'Our kids had learnt kathak from exponents at the Sansthan and now when they have grown up, it is they who not just motivate us to learn the dance form but also inspire us to try our hands in new hobbies,' said Tiwari. Geetanjali Rai also shared that she was brought up in a conservative family where she was not allowed to learn dance in childhood. 'With time, I understood that one must fulfil all their desires in life. We only have one life, and we must follow our heart. With this thought, I enrolled for the workshop,' said Rai who travels 28 kms daily between her home in Sushant Golf City and Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan just to learn Kathak. Manju Sahu, a nursing officer in the Paediatrics department of Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) and her two daughters Vasavi (8) and Krisha (6) are also among those attending the workshop. 'I manage everything, from my job, household chores, dance class and practice. My daughters are learning Kathak, but I also joined the workshop so that I can inspire them to learn the performing artform with grit. Sometimes, I correct the pose and postures of my daughters while others they help me correct mine,' shared Sahu. At the same time, Dinesh Rawat (62), is an example of how learning is a life-long process. 'I was a banker at a nationalised bank but have always been interested in performing art form. I did an 8-year course in flute followed by Bachelor in Performing Arts (BPA) Flute alongside my job. I did not get married, so I manage everything by myself. I thought Kathak as an opportunity to stay fit and active as mostly living alone leads to depression and anxiety. I find happiness when I learn a performing art form, so I turned up for the workshop,' said Rawat.
