Date: 4th May 2019
Venue: India International Centre, Delhi

There are experiences and experiences. Pandit Birju Maharaj recently performed at India International Centre during the Manodharma Dance Fest as part of ‘Manasa – Art Without Frontiers’, an initiative of noted Odissi dancer Sharon Lowen. Ages back, we were fortunate to witness Birju Maharaj dance to Vidushi Girija Devi’s songs. That was a lifetime’s experience. Girija Devi has since passed into the grandest annals of Hindustani Classical music. But we did not want to miss Birju Maharaj’s rare performance at any cost.

It was a full house when Panditji took the stage. He sat on a pedestal with an orchestra, i.e., table, harmonium, sarangi and a singer, to support him. Panditji related various anecdotes about his training years under his father Pandit Arjan Maharaj and Guru, Pandit Shambhu Maharaj. He did not use his feet but dance was in his voice and whole body. So when he gestured hand mudras, he brought situations to life.

Our revelation that evening was the versatility of Birju Maharaj. We knew him as a Kathak dance exponent. But then he started playing the harmonium and singing Bhajans, Bandish and Thumris. Time almost stopped still when Panditji sang. He would only pause his singing to demonstrate suitable movements using his face and arms. The melodious voice silenced the audience some of whom were disappointed that Birju Maharaj was not dancing on his feet.  He went back to his training days and said that his Gurus had emphasised on expressing emotions such as love or anger through voice as well. Once again, we realised that with masters, art seamlessly flows from one form to another.

Birju Maharaj is not just a dexterous dancer. He is a performer. It is not really about being Jack of all trades. It is being at one with art so that various forms melt and merge into one holistic depiction. He ended the performance with the Thumri – “Kaun Gali Gayo Shyam”, it seemed like a musical prayer.  We are blessed to have seen Birju Maharaj in a unique form. A form that is not only dance nor music but a beautiful instance of synthesis and harmony so embedded in Indian philosophy.

Our heartfelt respects to the legend Birju Maharaj and his art.