Popular Kathak Gurus in India

Popular Kathak Gurus in India

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Updated on May 31, 2024 13:49 IST

Kathak is a dance form that can be expressed through their hand movements, footwork and through their facial expressions. In order to learn this ancient form of dance, one need to get proper guidance of a trainer of dance guru. India is considered a rich land in terms of Kathak gurus. There are numerous popular Kathak gurus in India. Here in the article we have shared a list of popular Kathak gurus in India.

Kathak Gurus in India

Kathak Gurus in India

Kathak is known as one of the popular form of classical dance forms which is primarily famous in North India. The origin of the Kathak word came from the Sanskrit word Katha which means 'story' and Kathakar means 'the story teller'. The dance form can be expressed through their hand movements, footwork and through their facial expressions. In order to learn this ancient form of dance, one need to get proper guidance of a trainer of dance guru. India is considered a rich land in terms of Kathak gurus. There are numerous popular Kathak gurus in India. Here in the article we have shared a list of popular Kathak gurus in India.

Popular Kathak Gurus in India

Candidates can check the space below to know about popular Kathak gurs in India.

Pandit Birju Maharaj

Popularly known as 'Pandit Birju Maharaj', Brijmohan Mishra is a renowned Indian dancer. Apart from a popular dancer, Birju Maharaj is also a musician, composer, and singer. He started his career in dance just at the age of thirteen. He also started teaching the classical dance form at Sangeet Bharti, New Delhi, Bharatiya Kala Kenda, and Kathak Kendra. After a few years, he opened his own school named, 'Kalashram'. The popular dancer has choreographed for several Bollywood films such as Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Devdas, Dil to Pagal Hai, Bajirao Mastani, Kalank etc.

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Lachu Maharaj

Also known as Lachhu Maharaj, Pandit Bajinath Prasad, was a well-renowned Kathak dancer. He learned the kdance form from his uncle Bindadin Maharaj. Lachhu Maharaj started learning Kathak at the age of 10. Along with Kathak, he also started learned Pakhawaj, Tabla, and Hindustani Vocal Music. He was known for showcasing emotion and sensuality in his dance. He was one of the most popular dancers in India. He is also known for his popular choreographies in Mughal-e-nizam and Pakeezah.

Shambu Maharaj

Popularly known as Pandit Shambu Maharaj, Shambunath Mishra was an expert in the Lucknow Gharana style of Kathak. He started practicing Kathak mere at the age of eight under the guidance of his uncle Bindadin Maharaj and later his elder brother Acchan Maharaj. He also received training of 'Natwari Nritya' and 'Thumri' by Ustad Rahimuddin Khan. Due to his perfect expression of emotions in his dance, he was also called as the 'king of emoting'. He was awarded with the titles of 'Nritya Samrat' and 'Abhinaya Chakravarti'. He received Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1967 and Padmashri in 1956.

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Shovna Narayan

Another popular Kathak dancer, Shovana Narayan is known for her sheer passion for the classical dance form Kathak. She learned the dance form by the renowned Kathak and classical dancer, Pandit Briju Maharaj, and Kundanlal Gangani. She has bagged several laurel to her kitty as she performed at various international stages as well. Before making a mark as a Kathak dancer, Shovana was a civil servant in the Indian Audit and Account Service. She received her graduation degree from Miranda House, Delhi University.

Kumari Kamala 

Kumari Kamala is another popular Kathak dancer in India. She has worked as a child dancer in as many as 100 movies from different languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malyalam, and Hindi. She received Kathak training from renowned Kathak dancer Lachhu Maharj and later practised under Shankar Rao Vyas. She was also invited to participate in Queen Elizabeth II's coronation festivities. In 1970, she was awared with Padmabushan and later with the National Heritage Fellowship. 

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