Pandit Lachhu Maharaj Award 2024: Hema Malini, Saira Banu Among 10 Honored for Contributions to Kathak Dance
Introduction to the Pandit Lachhu Maharaj Award
The Pandit Lachhu Maharaj Award is an esteemed recognition given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the classical Kathak dance form. In 2024, the award ceremony will be held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on 31 August, where 10 prominent personalities from the fields of art and culture, including the legendary Hindi film superstars Hema Malini and Saira Banu, will be honored for their dedication to Kathak.
 |
| 10 including Hema Malini, Saira Banu will be honored with 'Pt. Lachhu Maharaj Award' |
About the Award and Ceremony
The decision to present the Pandit Lachhu Maharaj Award to 10 recipients in 2024 was made during a meeting at Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Lucknow, chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mandvi Singh. The award had not been given since 2014, but the Pandit Lachhu Maharaj Ballet Foundation decided to revive it this year to honor the contributions of artists to the Kathak dance form. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no award was announced in 2020, making the 2024 ceremony a significant event for the Kathak community.
Lachhu Maharaj: A Kathak Legend
Lachhu Maharaj, born Baij Nath Prasad in Lucknow in 1907, was a renowned classical Kathak dancer and choreographer. He was the founder and director of the Kathak Center of the Government of Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow and was known for his mastery and innovative choreography in Kathak. He passed away in 1978, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire dancers worldwide.
In 1957, Lachhu Maharaj was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, one of the highest honors for performing artists in India. His contributions to Kathak and classical dance have earned him a lasting place in the annals of Indian cultural history.
Award Recipients for 2024
The Pandit Lachhu Maharaj Award in 2024 will honor 10 recipients for their outstanding work in promoting and preserving the Kathak dance form. Among the notable honorees are Hema Malini and Saira Banu, both of whom are celebrated Hindi film actresses and have contributed to the art of Kathak.
Here's a list of the major award winners from previous years and the 2024 recipients:
- Uma Sharma (2015, New Delhi, Kathak)
- Rama Vaidyanathan (2016, New Delhi, Kathak)
- Uma Dogra (2017, Jaipur, Kathak)
- Hema Malini (2018, Mumbai, Kathak, film actress)
- Saira Banu (2019, Mumbai, Kathak, film actress)
- Sandhya Puricha (2018, Mumbai, Bharatanatyam exponent)
- Dr. Malabika Mitra (2021, Kolkata, Kathak)
- Prachi Shah (2022, Mumbai, Kathak, film actress)
- Ashim Bandhu Bhattacharya (2023, Mumbai, Kathak)
- Pandit Rajendra Gangani (2024, Jaipur, Kathak)
Conclusion
The Pandit Lachhu Maharaj Award 2024 is a significant event celebrating the art of Kathak and the contributions of artists who have dedicated their lives to preserving this classical dance form. The inclusion of renowned figures like Hema Malini and Saira Banu adds prestige to the award and reflects the broad appeal of Kathak within the Indian cultural landscape. As the award ceremony returns to Lucknow, it brings together artists, enthusiasts, and admirers of Kathak to honor the legacy of Pandit Lachhu Maharaj and those who continue to carry it forward.
