Pt. Birju Maharaj is not a new name when it comes to the very classical Kathak dance or for tinsel town. Starting in 1977 with the film "Shatranj Ke Khiladi" the journey in Bollywood has taken Birju Maharaj to the recent classic release "Pranali".

After adding color to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Devdas" by choreographing a song for Madhuri and creating few classical lines, the guru of Kathak is back with a stormy dance on the screen of "Pranali". He is the person behind teaching Nargis, the heroine of the film, the classical steps of Kathak.

We have a few words with this extremely talented and deservedly appraised guru:

Q.: What are you doing these days?
A.: I am staying at Shirdi with Baba for some program. Apart from baba I have done programs for Ramji temples also. And once I get done with this film and related programs, I will leave for Delhi which is tentatively declared as 13th of this month.

Q.: But we are informed that you are forbidden to do any program at Shirdi?
A.: It was Baba's wish that I was called there. The people, who were against me, have given up and I have won the situation because of Baba's wish.

It's my wish to perform once every year at the temple of Baba. It's his blessings that I never fail to get. I enter there with a classical way of showing my devotion to Him.

Q.: You have taken six years to come back to the industry with your classical choreography in "Pranali". Why did you take that much time?
A.: My first preference has always been stage and never films. At the same time you can call it a prohibition from my guru.

If I feel everything alright, then only, I agree on doing any film. But you must remember that Pt. Lachchhu Maharaj, my uncle, was very active in films. Seeing him, I was truly inspired to join films. But my mother told me that entering Mumbai and joining films will make me all very filmy.

I realized her words and decided to not get too active in films. Stage became my priority. But I always kept in mind that I'll never lose the chance of doing any good film. I found "Pranali" to be a nice one to work in and thus I accepted the proposal.

Q.: Do you think that Hindi films will get back to its old days?
A.: Things are dependant on filmmakers. If thus wished, Bollywood can get back its own "Mughal-E-Azam", "Paakeezaa" and the same Madhubala or Mina Kumari. Why should we be afraid of the world?

We better stop following others' footsteps and try to get them bow in front of us. We can beautifully present any form of dance with the base of classical dance. It's not tough to learn classical dance.

You can remember Kamala Lakshman, Padmini, Ragini and Hemaji following the classical way of dancing.

Q.: But your career in Bollywood shows that you have done only four films. "Pranali" is your fifth film. Why so?
A.: I already have told you that I accept films only if I like them. That's the reason of my choreographing less number of films.

If people show little courage and agree on making something different, then I can choreograph such dance sequence that will make everyone feel like going back to the old days. The rhythm of dance will touch all hearts.

Q.: Apart from being a famous Kathak dancer, you have proved yourself in Indian classical music also. What would you like to say about current Bollywood music?
A.: There are few songs in current Bollywood that you have to accept as really melodious. Just for example, "Ami je tomar" from the recently released film, "Bhool Bulaiya", is really beautiful from every aspect.

Though it's based on Bharatnatyam, we have to accept that the song is beautifully presented with a perfect classical touch. Listening to the song I felt the atmosphere of oldies which is long been lost, is back.

I think recently Bollywood is using sargam in songs very well. And I hope to get back the old days of classical music in the industry as no one can avoid going back to the roots for long.

Q.: Your opinion is quite acceptable but what do you think about the matter that despite being so rich with music Indian music directors are copying music from other nations?
A.: It's just a foolish approach of few people. I can assure you of making better music without getting inspiration from the music of any other nation.

It's really shame on us that we are copying foreigners. We must understand that the actual fun will be in alluring them to copy us.

Q.: What do you think about Bollywood dancing?
A.: They have excelled in showing figure and the real essence of dancing is lost from Bollywood dance sequences for long. Heroines have forgotten to wear dresses.

The actual beauty is what gets covered from others and gets slightly visible with a touch of breeze. But here one can see everything quite openly. Now, all the heroine's dance sequences match with that of cabaret. - Rajnee Gupta