LIVING LEGEND BIRJU MAHARAJ IN TOWN with an ensemble of dancers performing to live music on stage

Kabir Centre for Arts & Culture, Montreal and The Aga Khan Museum, Toronto are proud to co-present the living legend of Indian Kathak Dance Pandit Birju Maharaj in a fabulous show entitled ‘Mehfil: From Dusk to Dawn’. The show will feature Kathak and musical forms developed in the Mughal courts of India and poetry and music influenced by Islamic culture such as Rubayees, Ghazals, Tarana and related poetry forms and will demonstrate how Islamic and Hindu cultures together shaped the Kathak dance form as we know of it today.

Pandit Birju Maharaj, all of 78 years old this year, is a living legend in the world of Kathak Dance. He is a fascinating dancer, a consummate artist and an adorable guru. He is a superb drummer, playing nearly all drums with ease and precision. He can play many string instruments such as Sitar, Sarod, Violin and Sarangi, though he never underwent any formal training. He is a sensitive poet, writing modern poetry as well as songs, dance compositions, thumris, etc. Humorous situations catch his attention and he relates them in a uniquely interesting way. He is a singer par excellence, having command over Thumri, Dadra, Bhajan and Ghazal. He sings from the heart, words flowing out effortlessly. His deep resonating voice brings out the feeling and emotion behind every word. A master storyteller, he interlaces his performances with incidents from his life, narrated to captivate the audience. Being keenly observant, he always has something to say about day-to-day incidents, keeping people around him entertained with realistic imitations and vivid descriptions. He is a recipient of numerous prestigious awards including Padma Vibhushan conferred by the government of India. He has been instrumental in training leading film actors to perform classical dances which he choreographed in films such as Devdas, Vishwaroopam and Bhajirao Mastani.

Pandit Birju Maharaj will be accompanied by five other dancers including his senior most disciple Smt. Saswati Sen who achieved early fame through her unforgettable dancing in Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj ke khiladi. Live music consists of Vocal, Sitar, Harmonium and Tabla.

MEHFIL: FROM DUSK TO DAWN

Sunday June 12, 2016 6PM
The Aga Khan Museum

77 Wynford Drive, Toronto M3C 1K1

RESERVATIONS: AGAKHANMUSEUM.ORG, TEL: 416.646.4677