Cinemaazi remembers Lachhu Maharaj on his death anniversary

Remembering Indian classical dancer and Kathak choreographer, Pandit Lachhu Maharaj on his death anniversary—the noted maestro had passed away this day, 19 July in 1978. Born in 1901, he hailed from a family of noted Kathak exponents in Lucknow. He received his training from Pandit Bindadin Maharaj, his uncle and the court dancer of the Nawab of Awadh. Moving to Bombay, his work in Hindi films helped propagate Kathak further. He won accolades for his choreography of dance sequences in films such as Mahal (1949), Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Chhoti Chhoti Baten (1965) and Pakeezah (1972). His ballets Goutam Buddha, Chandravali and Bharatiya Kissan were also popular. Founder-Director of the Kathak Kendra started by the Uttar Pradesh Government in Lucknow, he was also honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest award for performing artists, conferred by India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama - the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Image courtesy: nrityashiksha.com