NCERT Textbook: Personalities

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13
Awadh. His father was the famous Kalka Prasad and uncle 
Binda Deen, who consolidated the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak. 
Trained under his uncle Binda Deen. Later, he established a 
post-independence with his elder brother Acchan Maharaj 
repetorrie of dance. He made his debut in Lucknow in 1926 at 
the All India Music Conference after which 
he performed regularly as a soloist, and 
with his elder brothers Acchan and Lacchu 
Maharaj. He moved to Delhi in 1955 and 
taught Kathak at the Shriram Bharatiya 
Kala Kendra, establishing the tradition of 
the Lucknow Gharana in Delhi. He was 
very famous for his abhinaya and bhav 
batana, and he performed such in the court 
style of sitting and enacting. He taught his 
nephew, the famous Birju Maharaj and 
many other famous Kathak dancers of India. He is survived by his sons 
Ram Mohan and Kishan Mohan who are also accomplished dancers, 
and gurus. He was the recipient of the Padma Shri in 1958 and Sangeet 
Natak Academy Award in 1967. 
PERSONALITIES
Shambhu Maharaj
Scion of the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak, Shambhu Maharaj 
belongs to a family of traditional Kathak dancers. His forefathers 
were gurus and dancers at the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of 
          Birju Maharaj
Shambhu Maharaj
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13
Awadh. His father was the famous Kalka Prasad and uncle 
Binda Deen, who consolidated the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak. 
Trained under his uncle Binda Deen. Later, he established a 
post-independence with his elder brother Acchan Maharaj 
repetorrie of dance. He made his debut in Lucknow in 1926 at 
the All India Music Conference after which 
he performed regularly as a soloist, and 
with his elder brothers Acchan and Lacchu 
Maharaj. He moved to Delhi in 1955 and 
taught Kathak at the Shriram Bharatiya 
Kala Kendra, establishing the tradition of 
the Lucknow Gharana in Delhi. He was 
very famous for his abhinaya and bhav 
batana, and he performed such in the court 
style of sitting and enacting. He taught his 
nephew, the famous Birju Maharaj and 
many other famous Kathak dancers of India. He is survived by his sons 
Ram Mohan and Kishan Mohan who are also accomplished dancers, 
and gurus. He was the recipient of the Padma Shri in 1958 and Sangeet 
Natak Academy Award in 1967. 
PERSONALITIES
Shambhu Maharaj
Scion of the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak, Shambhu Maharaj 
belongs to a family of traditional Kathak dancers. His forefathers 
were gurus and dancers at the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of 
          Birju Maharaj
Shambhu Maharaj
141  | PERSONALITIES
Kedar Nath Sahu 
Kedar Nath Sahu was one 
of the leading exponents 
of Seraikella Chhau. He 
comes from a traditional 
family of Chhau dancers 
belonging to the Kanasari 
caste, who are engaged 
in these dance practices 
along with their main 
occupation of making 
household utensils. He 
started learning the 
dance form at a very early age from his father and 
grandfather. The dance form followed a Guru-Sishya 
Parampara and the art was  orally  transmitted from 
generation to generation. He performed in the troupe 
of Kumar Bijoy Pratap Singh Deo but later formed his 
own troupe with his disciples. Recipient of the Sangeet 
Natak Academy Award in 1981 and the Padma Shri 
in 2005. His performances received acclaim both in 
India and around the world. Many illustrious dancers 
trained under him as his students; the notable ones 
being Shashadhar Acharya, Gopal Prasad Dubey and 
Sharon Lowen to name a few.
ACTIVITY 13.1
Research and write about any one personality — the 
great dancer Balasaraswati, Pandit Hazarilal, Keermane 
Shivaram Hedge, Gulabo Sapera.
Present it to the class as a project work.
Seraikella Chhau Masks
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13
Awadh. His father was the famous Kalka Prasad and uncle 
Binda Deen, who consolidated the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak. 
Trained under his uncle Binda Deen. Later, he established a 
post-independence with his elder brother Acchan Maharaj 
repetorrie of dance. He made his debut in Lucknow in 1926 at 
the All India Music Conference after which 
he performed regularly as a soloist, and 
with his elder brothers Acchan and Lacchu 
Maharaj. He moved to Delhi in 1955 and 
taught Kathak at the Shriram Bharatiya 
Kala Kendra, establishing the tradition of 
the Lucknow Gharana in Delhi. He was 
very famous for his abhinaya and bhav 
batana, and he performed such in the court 
style of sitting and enacting. He taught his 
nephew, the famous Birju Maharaj and 
many other famous Kathak dancers of India. He is survived by his sons 
Ram Mohan and Kishan Mohan who are also accomplished dancers, 
and gurus. He was the recipient of the Padma Shri in 1958 and Sangeet 
Natak Academy Award in 1967. 
PERSONALITIES
Shambhu Maharaj
Scion of the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak, Shambhu Maharaj 
belongs to a family of traditional Kathak dancers. His forefathers 
were gurus and dancers at the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of 
          Birju Maharaj
Shambhu Maharaj
141  | PERSONALITIES
Kedar Nath Sahu 
Kedar Nath Sahu was one 
of the leading exponents 
of Seraikella Chhau. He 
comes from a traditional 
family of Chhau dancers 
belonging to the Kanasari 
caste, who are engaged 
in these dance practices 
along with their main 
occupation of making 
household utensils. He 
started learning the 
dance form at a very early age from his father and 
grandfather. The dance form followed a Guru-Sishya 
Parampara and the art was  orally  transmitted from 
generation to generation. He performed in the troupe 
of Kumar Bijoy Pratap Singh Deo but later formed his 
own troupe with his disciples. Recipient of the Sangeet 
Natak Academy Award in 1981 and the Padma Shri 
in 2005. His performances received acclaim both in 
India and around the world. Many illustrious dancers 
trained under him as his students; the notable ones 
being Shashadhar Acharya, Gopal Prasad Dubey and 
Sharon Lowen to name a few.
ACTIVITY 13.1
Research and write about any one personality — the 
great dancer Balasaraswati, Pandit Hazarilal, Keermane 
Shivaram Hedge, Gulabo Sapera.
Present it to the class as a project work.
Seraikella Chhau Masks
ASSESSMENT
Chapter 13: Personalities
CG C Learning Outcomes Teacher Self
4 4.2 Shows interest to learn about dance personalities
 
4 4.2 Actively researches about at least one other dance personality
4 4.2 Creative presentation in a project work or journal
Teacher’s Comments and Student’s Observations