Just out in the September issue of India Currents!
“When I watch him [Maharaj] perform, I sit and
cry. It’s not just about entertaining, it also touches your soul,” says Nag. Nag
is thrilled that her students have an opportunity to learn from Maharaj during
his visit. And she’s profoundly grateful to Hussain as well. “Zakhir-bhai is so
wonderful. His schedule is so busy, he could be playing so many other places. Yet
he makes sure to make time to be with him.” Nag concludes, “May there be many
more.” Many more birthdays for Maharaj, and many more opportunities to bring
the legendary Maharaj and Hussain together for unforgettable performances. Yet
this performance will certainly be one not to miss.
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| Tarangini School of Kathak Dance |
“Both are legends and both are geniuses. Even
if you don’t know the nuances of kathak, you will still enjoy the performance. For
those of us who are professionals, we are waiting impatiently to see them,”
says Anuradha Nag, Artistic Director of the Tarangini School of Kathak Dance in
San Jose. For the 20th anniversary of the Tarangini School, Nag is
hosting a September concert at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco
featuring kathak master Pandit Birju Maharaj and tabla maestro Ustad Zakir
Hussain.
Hussain, a Grammy Award-winning tabla virtuoso,
comes to the performance fresh from a new award, recently receiving the
Downbeat Critic’s Poll Best Percussionist of the Year Award. “It is an immense
honor to receive the Downbeat Critic’s Poll best percussion nod. These are
connoisseurs who make this selection and therefore the award is of great
prestige; it is amazing to be amongst the chosen ones.” Yet after acknowledging
the praise, Hussain humbly turns to highlighting his fellow performer.
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| Zakir Hussain |
“Playing with Pt. Birju Maharaj-ji is a performance
I always look forward to. He is a great rhythmist and a fabulous storyteller. To
lend voice to his movements is a great challenge.” An opportunity to watch
Hussain and Maharaj together on stage is a chance to watch the unfolding of a
spirited conversation between two discerning masters. “With kathak, tabla
becomes the lead instrument filling in with sound what the dancer is projecting
through expression and choreography.
This allows me to highlight the expressive element of tabla [which I
don’t] get a chance to do in detail as accompanist to vocal or instrumental
music.”
“Supporting the great maestro is more than
playing with another percussionist. It is similar to writing the score for a
play or opera instantly on the fly. I make sure that as a tabla player and lead
I am painting the exact colors that are needed to fully realize what the
maestro is trying to portray.” With Hussain’s on-stage charisma matched with Maharaj’s
creativity, this particular show promises to create an unforgettable
masterpiece before the audiences’ eyes.
The performance is also a celebration of
Maharaj’s 75th birthday. Revered as the torchbearer for the Lucknow
school of kathak dance, Maharaj learned the ancestral roots of kathak from his
father and two uncles. Yet over the past 40 years Maharaj has constantly
innovated his style of dance. “What you see today is a blend of what he’s
learned from his gurus and what he’s changed with an awareness of space, the
stage, and body lines,” says Nag. Maharaj is known as an innovator who
constantly learns from his surroundings. “He told us once, ‘I learn from you
all. I don’t have a teacher anymore, but
I learn from what I see and what you all do.’”
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| Birju Maharaj |
“No other teacher has created so many good solo
dancers. He has students all over the world,” explains Nag. Maharaj is also
recognized for his sensitivity toward his individual students, “He creates
movements according to the body structure of students. He will fine-tune
movements to each student, saying ‘Whoever is talented will shine anyways.’” Beyond
teaching, Maharaj is also a noted percussionist, poet, and painter. And his
choreography and singing is legendary, featured in numerous movies including
Satyajit Ray’s The Chess Players.
Nag reflects on the importance of celebrating
the 20th anniversary of the founding of her kathak school with the
opportunity to showcase two such amazing performers. “I’m very touched. When I
came here 20 years ago there were just a handful of kathak teachers in the US. I
love this art form, and I’ve been able to take it to the next level and give
back to the community.” It’s clear that the close relationship she shares with
her own students directly reflects the close bond she shares with her own teacher.
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| Birju Maharaj |
Tarangini School of Kathak Dance 20th Anniversary
Pandit Birju Maharaj and Ustad Zakir Hussain
Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Saturday, September 29th
7pm
Tickets start at $20
