Rich tributes to the legendary Kathak maestro, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj, fondly known as Maharaj ji was rendered by several dignitaries and students on the occasion of the 26th Vasantutsav at Kamani auditorium in New Delhi on 3rd and 4^th February 2024, organised by Pt Birju Maharaj ji's Kalasharam - premier Kathak academy founded by the great Kathak maestro.

In order to celebrate this occasion in the most befitting manner, the first Pandit Birju Maharaj Samman was declared and awarded to the Tabla wizard, Ustad Zakir Hussain. Ustad Zakir was selected on the basis of his long and incredible association with Maharaj ji, performing for decades for global audiences.

Son and disciple of the legendary Ustad Allah Rakha who accompanied the celebrated Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar on the Tabla, mesmerising audiences on the international platform and providing the Tabla percussion music, a new status and dignity, young Zakir was initiated to music at a tender age.

A child prodigy, he already started touring internationally while still in his teens, he has been at the helm of many genre-defying collaborations, including 2024 Grammy nominated Shakti, Masters of Percussion etc. As a composer he has scored music for numerous feature films, composed four concertos enjoying successful premieres in India, Europe and the United States. He is the 2022 Kyoto Prize laureate and the recipient of countless awards and distinctions including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

On 2nd February, Sangeet Natak Akademi, released the book "Kathak Digdarshan" by Pt Birju Maharaj, as part of the Tagore National Fellowship Submission at the Meghdoot theatre. The book is a collectors choice that provides a wide spectrum and perspective as to how kathak evolved from the "Kathak Parampara" tradition to the present scenario, covering a broad vision of Kathak - Yesteraday, Today and Tomorrow’.

As a tribute to the great meastro an exclusive souvenir was released on the occasion known as "Yaadein" that portrays the complete life sketch of Pt Birju Mharaj with the inclusion of experiences of several disciples in India anda broad.

One of the senior most disciples, Padmashri Pratap Pawar for over 63 years says "Despite decades of shared memories, the most special moment for me will always be that of 5th Feb 1958, that was the day that he tied the "Ganda" on my wrist, making me the first ever to receive that priviledge from him”.

Veteran Kathak danseuse Uma Sharma reveals "Duniya Ke Mahaan Samrat, Geetam, Vadyam,Nrityan, in teeno Ke Acharya, "Kushmijaj", helpful, simple natured, Samrat Guru Shri Birju Maharaj. I knew Maharaj ji since my childhood, though we hardly met, during the association with me in Kathak Ballet productions, Maharajaji always praised me. Main Unhe Bhool Nahi Sakti, Wohi Hamesha Ke Liye Ajar, Amar,Mahan Samrat Shri Birju Maharaj Rehenge, May his soul rest in peace".

Prior to the mesmerizing Tabla concert by Ustad Zakir Hussain, that created a lasting spell on the packed audience, accompanied by Murad Ali Khan on Sarangi, Swaransh Mishra, son of Pt Sajan Mishra, paid a poetic tribute with interpretations in Kathak style by Ragini and Yasjhaswani Maharaj, daughter of Pt Deepak Maharaj and grand daughter of Pt Bieju Maharaj. 'Man - Bheetar" and 'Bhari Bhari" choreographed by Rachana Sarang and music by Rajeev Maharaj and "Itlati" performed by Shovanan Narayan's Asavari troupe repertory, "Bhrutuki" choreographed by Vaswati Mishra and 'Thunga" by Mamata Maharaj were the amazing performances for the evening.

On 4th February dance presentations were choreogrphed by Sujata Banerjee, Maitrayee Pahari, performers were Richa Jain, kajal Sharma, Sushant Gaurav,Durga Arya - Kruger from Germany, starling performance by teenaged Srija Biswas, Anuj Mishra, Vishal Krishna,Vidya hari Deshpande, Durgesh Ganggani, Maneesha Sathe,Anuj Bhattacharjee, Alokpurna Guha, Ashim bandhu Bhattacharjee, Abhimanyu lal, Jai Kishan maharaj, Pt Krishna Mohan Maharaj, Ram Mohan maharaj and Deepak Mohanraj.

Kalaashram has a branch in Mumbai too, the legacy moves forward with the ardent disciple Saswati Sen and several others in India and abroad. A befitting tribute to a great meastro.

By Guru Vijay Shanker