Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj to get Birla Award

Leading Kathak exponent Pandit Birju Maharaj would be honoured with the prestigious 'Aditya Vikram Birla Kalashikhar Puruskar' over the weekend.
The 76-year-old dancing legend is being honoured for his lifetime achievement in the field of classical dance.
The award will be presented to him by Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra, on November 22 at Nehru Centre here, a release said today.
Two promising classical dancers, Prateeksha Kashi (Kuchipudi) and Rahul Acharya (Odissi), will be presented the Aditya Vikram Birla Kalakiran Puraskars, the release said.
"This year we have chosen classical dance as the theme of our awards," said Rajashree Birla, President of the Sangit Kala Kendra, which has constituted these awards.

The recipients were chosen by a team of renowned artists in the domain of classical dance from all over the country, the release added.