Did you know that one of the greatest veterans of Kathak history, Pt. Birju Maharaj, was born in Kalka-Bindadin ki Dyodhi? Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, a fervent supporter of Oudh's arts and culture, bequeathed the house to his ancestors. The government spent Rs 96.53 lakh in 2016 to transform Pt. Birju Maharaj's ancestral home in Wazirganj, Lucknow, into a Kathak Museum.

It displays the personal items of Maharaj ji and his family, who popularised Kathak painting, including clothing, accessories, and literature.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

The museum's entry leads to a courtyard where the walls are covered in a three-dimensional painting featuring the most famous Kathak dancer, Pt Birju Maharaj. Framed pictures of his concerts with greats like Girija Devi and Saswati Sen border the main hall. The main hall features over sixty portraits, murals, and oil paintings of Pt. Birju Maharaj during her performances with multiple Bollywood celebrities.

To document the family's contribution to Kathak art, the busts of his father Achchhan Maharaj, uncles Shambhu and Lachchhu Maharaj, and uncle Shambhu Maharaj are on exhibit. Information regarding Birju Maharaj's family tree is also available at a kiosk.

Know More About Pt. Birju Maharaj

Pandit Birju Maharaj, one of the most renowned artists of the Lucknow Kalka-Bindadin Gharana, is the great-grandson of Maharaj Thakur Prasad, the Kathak master of Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh. The 19th century saw the establishment of the Lucknow Gharana.

Pt. Birju Maharaj is the recipient of numerous honours and decorations, including the 1986 Padma Vibhushan. The Madhya Pradesh government also gave him the Kalidas Samman. He also received the Soviet Land Nehru Award, the Sangam Kala Award, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, among other honours. He received the Lata Mangeshkar Puraskaar in 2002 as a mark of honour. He later won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer as well as the National Film Award for Best Choreography.