UPDATE: We have sent the signatures to The Honorable Prime Minister for the Bharat Ratna deliberations this year. We will, however, keep this petition open as long as we need to, so that we can continue to have people sign. A big thank you to every one of you that has signed or referred people, and let us continue this tirelessly. For those of you that have not yet signed, please do - we promise it will not go to waste.
For over half a century, Birju Maharaj has been a flagbearer for the Indian Classical dance form Kathak, as performer, teacher, musician, choreographer, and innovator. He has driven the evolution of Kathak from a solo danceform performed for small gatherings, to a contemporary ensemble balletic form in modern proscenium settings.
He was the recipient of India's second highest award, the Padma Vibhushan in 1986, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi award. Since then, he has added immense contributions not only to his chosen art form, but also influenced classical music and dance as a whole.
We seek your support during our petition to the India Government to honour his contributions with a Bharat Ratna.
Dear Government of India,
Pandit Birju Maharaj has made immeasurable contributions to Kathak as a dance form, and has driven its evolution to its modern balletic form. As performer, choreographer, musician, teacher, and innovator.
Having been the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan as long ago as 1986, he has since been tireless in his efforts to take this precious classical dance form to new levels of accomplishment, while serving as an influence and an example to the Indian classical arts as a whole.
It is to the credit of the few great contributors like Birju Maharaj that the rich heritage of India's past is constantly being revived, renewed, and caused to flourish.
We urge you to honour his life's work and its continuing effects, with the awarding of the Bharat Ratna.
