2023-01-02 Mon

Lachhu Maharaj was born in Lucknow in 1907, and he comes from a distinguished line of Kathak performers. He was fortunate to have Pandit Bindadeen Maharaj, his uncle and the court dancer of the Nawab of Awadh, instruct him extensively in Kathak for about ten years. He also mastered the Pakhawaj, the Tabla, and vocal music, which enabled him to embellish his dance in several ways.

Later, he relocated to Bombay, where the burgeoning film industry supported the development of his reputation as a contemporary Kathak master. The dance choreography in films like Mahal, Mugha-e-Azam, and Pakhiza as well as his ballets like Gautama Buddha, Chandravali, and Bhartiya Kissan won Lachhu Maharaj praise.

He was the first director of the Kathak Kendra, which the government of Uttar Pradesh established in Lucknow. Additionally, he received other honors, including the President's Award and the Sangeet Natak Sahitya Award.

Department of Posts issued a commemorative Postage Stamp of Pandit Lachhu Maharaj in recognization of his contribution to fields of Indian Classical Dance and as a Choreographer of Kathak.

Image Courtesy: stampsofindia.com