Pune based Nandkishore Cultural Society, headed by renowned Kathak exponent Pandit Nandkishore Kapote has instituted the 1st Pandit Birju Maharaj award and selected two veteran Kathak exponents as the recipients, namely Padmashri Shovana Narayan Traxi and Pandit Deepak Mahraj for their invaluable and outstanding contribution to the promotion and propagation of the Kathak dance style.

The award was presented to Padmashri Shovana and Pandit Deepak at a programme in Jawaharlal Nehru Sanskritik Bhavan in Pune by the president of Kohinoor Group - Krishna Kumar Goyal, Pandit Nandkishore Kapote and other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion Shovana said "I feel honoured and blessed to get this first award in the name of my mentor, which is indeed a rare honour and am very happy about it". The award was given to Pt Deepak Maharaj by honourable former MLA - Ulhasdada Pawar and former MLA Mohan Joshi. Pt Deepak said "I am extremely fortunate to receive this award in the name of my father and mentor too, I feel blessed I have a huge responsibility of taking the legacy forward".

The awards were in the form of citations, mementos, shawls and photo images of Pandit Birju Maharaj. Suresh Kote, president of Lijjat Papad Group, Nishi Bala, director of Indian Council of Cultural Relations(ICCR, Pune), Sushama Shinde, assistant commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad division, Veteran Kathak exponent Pandit Nankishore Kapote, Sunil Mahajan and Nikita Moghe were present on the occasion;. Pandit Deepak is the youngest son of Pt Birju Maharaj but has been maintaining low profile due to varied reasons.

Nandkishore Cultural Society had organised three days workshop and on the first day,14th May, performance and workshop was conducted by veteran danseuse Padmashri Shovana Naryan. The performance in the evening by Shovana was enthralling, creating a lasting spell on the audience, dancing for over five decades, her performances has acquired a professional quality and intensity, which is the hallmark of a devoted performer. Pt Deepak Maharaj conducted a workshop for two days. Deepak successfully takes the legacy forward and follows the traditional repertoire which is evident in his performances, he is the youngest son and his elder brother Kishan Maharaj is also a choreographer and mentor too.

Nandkishore Cultural Society has an exclusive library of Pt Birju Maharaj and Kathak queen Sitara Devi, besides the publication of two books in English and Marathi, portraying the multi-faceted meastro Pandit Birju Maharaj. Pt Nandkishore Kapote is among the foremost and among the most devoted disciples of the the great Kathak exponent, Recipient of several awards Nandkishore has also won the prestigious Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar for his outstanding and invaluable contribution towards the enrichment, propagation and promotion of kathak dance on the international level.

By Guru Vijay Shanker