Pt. Birju Maharaj

Birju Maharaj was an Indian dancer, choreographer, composer, singer, and a leading exponent and teacher of the Lucknow "Kalka-Bindadin" Gharana of Kathak dance in India. He was a descendant of the renowned Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, which includes his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj. He also practiced Hindustani classical music and was a vocalist. After working along with his uncle, Shambhu Maharaj at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, later the Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, he remained head of the latter, for several years, until his retirement in 1998 when he opened his own dance school, Kalashram, also located in Delhi.