Kathak Maestro  Pandit
Birju Maharaj awes Madison
On October 27, Pandit Birju Maharaj, a renowned exponent of kathak,
performed at Wisconsin Union Theater. Maharaj belonged to a family of
dancers who has been very instrumental in popularizing the kathak
classical dance form. He pioneered multi-person choreographies in
Kathak, which was traditionally a solo dance form. Majaraj is also a
superb musician, percussionist, composer, teacher, director,
choreographer and a poet. A multi-awraded artist, Majaraj has been
conferred two honorary degrees and the Nehru Fellowship.
This special performance was sponsored by the Indian Graduate
Students Association, India Music Circle of Wisconsin, Center for South
Asia (UW-Madison), Association of Indians in America, and Associated
Students of Madison. [Photo by Dennis Alfred Pascual]