Lachhu Maharaj (Baijnath Prasad)

🪔 About

Pandit Lachhu Maharaj, born Baijnath Prasad on September 1, 1901, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, was a legendary Indian classical dancer and choreographer of Kathak. He hailed from an illustrious family of Kathak exponents of the Lucknow gharana, being the son of Kalka Prasad and nephew of Pandit Bindadin Maharaj, a renowned court dancer of the Nawab of Awadh. Lachhu Maharaj received extensive training in Kathak from his uncle, Pandit Bindadin Maharaj, for nearly ten years. He also learned Pakhawaj, Tabla, and Hindustani Classical vocal music, which enriched his understanding and presentation of dance. He began giving public performances from the age of ten. Later, he moved to Mumbai (then Bombay), where he significantly contributed to the emerging film industry by choreographing dance sequences, thereby bringing Kathak to a wider audience. His acclaimed film choreographies include iconic movies such as "Mahal" (1949), "Mughal-e-Azam" (1960), "Chhoti Chhoti Baten" (1965), and "Pakeezah" (1972). He also choreographed several ballets, including "Gautam Buddha," "Chandravali," and "Bharatiya Kissan". Lachhu Maharaj was a respected teacher and the founder Director of the Kathak Kendra, established by the Uttar Pradesh Government in Lucknow in 1973, an initiative to promote Kathak. He also founded his own dance school in Bombay named "Nutan Nritya Niketan". His contributions to Kathak were recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1957 and the President's Award. He passed away on July 19, 1978. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1957), President's Award.