Explore the life of Pandit Birju Maharaj through these books and films

List of books and films to learn about the life and career of the maestro

Birju Maharaj (A luminous Jewel): Life and art of Pandit Birju Maharaj, an eminent dancer of Kathak

Produced and directed by Vijay B Chandra, this gem from the golden era of Doordarshan is a 90-minute film that depicts the life and art of Pandit Birju Maharaj in great detail. Narrated in the form of a story, the music is by the maestro himself who was a fantastic singer snd excelled at thumri, dadra, bhajan, and ghazals, making this a truly melodious treat.
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WHERE: DD India, YouTube

Birju Maharaj: The Master Through My Eyes

Written by Saraswati Sen, who has known Maharaj for over 45 years, this book is a true gift from a disciple to her guru. It presents layers of the Kathak maestro’s personality as witnessed by one of his foremost disciples who, over time, began to see the divinity in her talented master and decided to write a book on his life and work. The book reveals how this great icon of Indian dance, a mentor and inspiration for thousands of people across the globe, was in reality a simple, unassuming man.
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TO BUY: amazon.in
FOR: Rs 864 (Hardcover)

Nritya Samrat Pt. Birju Maharaj

This compilation of essays explores the master’s art in detail and reveals his extraordinary personality. The book makes an interesting read because of prime disciple Saswati Sen speaking of his teaching style to Janaki Patrik talking about Maharaj’s attention to postures, movements and details and a chapter on the Kathak workshop by Dr Sunil Sunkara. This book also throws light on how he transcends the barriers of language and culture to teach the dance form across the world.
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TO BUY: amazon.in
FOR: Rs 700

Pandit Birju Maharajji Rare Documentary

The 20-minute black and white film gives a brief account of the achievements of Birju Maharaj, bringing out some interesting glimpses of his personal life. The film includes inputs from Nayana Devi, Dipali Nag, Vijaya Mulay, Dolly Sahiar, BD Garga, Supriya Dasgupta, Sangeet Natak Academy and Bhartiya Kala Kendra.
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WHERE: National Film Archive of India, YouTube

Kathak Ka Lucknow Gharana aur Pandit Birju Maharaj

Authored by Dr Madhukar Anand, this book written in Hindi documents the life and development of the Lucknow gharana of Kathak, under Birju Maharaj. It also includes music in letter notation and is useful not just for understanding the story of Kathak in India but also the role of gharanas in making the dance form popular across the globe.
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TO BUY: flipkart.com
FOR: Rs 856 (Hardcover)

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