Pandit Birju Maharaj (Kathak Maestro)

Click to buy a higher resolution

This time, I am happy my friends. I did not take much time from my last work and came soon with my new work. The earlier one was a gift for Shri Amitabh Ji for his second b'day. This time, the portrait of one and only Kathak Maestro 'Padma Vibhshan' Pandit Birju Maharaj Ji. Actually, the intuition from Almighty was germinated a way back but could not happen somehow. As we know, there is a time for everything so it comes now.

Portrait is completed and it gets shared with my well wishers first. Next with the maestro himself. Hope he likes it. Though he is touring a lot all over the world for performances but I still hope he would spare some time to accept my work.

Maharaj Ji won many awards and recognition, including Padma Vibhushan in 1986. He received honorary doctorates from BHU and the Khairagarh university. He gave his direction to so many movies. Recently, he did it for Kamal Hasan's 'Vishwaroopam' and received "National Film Award for Best Choreography" for the same.

Tomorrow is 15th of August, India's independence day. A day when we got freedom from cruel British empire. But cruelty got never ended. It just changed the faces from. We still not feel any freedom. We scare to go to police station for any help. When we feel fear talking to our security then how we could feel safe. If we are not safe then what kind of independence is this ? Its a slavery in our own country. The neighbor countries violating laws and intruding our security on a daily basis. They have done so many heinous crimes in last couple of months. On top of that our government never take any action on that. How do we feel freedom. No ! Its not freedom. We are still slave and being hunted by others.....couple of lines for poetry lovers. Hope you  like them.

हंसी भी फंसी सी रह जाती है, देश के रोष के आग़ोश में  //

पाप का सबूत मिटाने की, जन प्रतिनिधियों में लगी होड़ है / 

सफ़ेद शांति को काली भ्रान्ति में, परिवर्तन कला बेजोड़ है /

कितने शून्य लगे हैं उस काले में, नहीं है सल्तनत होश में // 

 हंसी भी फंसी सी रह जाती है, देश के रोष के आग़ोश में //

हालात और दशा तो नहीं है, आजादी का उत्सव मनाने की / 

दुराचारी मिथ्याचारी लाचारी है, ज़रूरत नहीं है जताने की /

दुष्ट दोगले दानव दम्भी, विचर रहे आज सफ़ेद पोश में //

 हंसी भी फंसी सी रह जाती है, देश के रोष के आग़ोश में //

फिर भी ये दिल नहीं मानता, आज शुभकामनाएं दिए बगैर /

भगत आजाद सुखदेव गांधी, की थी बहुतों ने शहादत की सैर /

शायद वो शहादत फले फूले, फिर एक नरेन्द्र दिख रहा जोश में // 

 हंसी भी फंसी सी रह जाती है, देश के रोष के आग़ोश में // - AOD

Do let me know your feedback on my art work. I love to read them. I will try to come soon again. Till then you my pals do your duty with full of honesty. Don't be afraid of anything and keep improving yourself. Rest up to the Almighty. He will take care of us well !!

Happy Independence Day !!! .if there is any ...

Regards & Love,
Atul Ojhal