Munna Shukla
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Munna Shukla (born December 7, 1943) is a Kathak guru and choreographer of Lucknow Gharana based in New Delhi, India. Born to a family who has been so intimate with this beautiful art form for generations, Munna Shukla has been gifted with talent and rare-deep insight into the finer nuances of Kathak, a classical dance form of North India. He is, in fact, a grandson of the great Kathak Maestro, Late Achhan Maharaj, and a nephew of the illustrious Birju Maharaj.
He received his initial training in Kathak from his father, late Sunder Lal Shukla, and later on from Birju Maharaj in New Delhi under the National Scholarship Scheme offered by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. During his training he participated in many productions and gave several solo performances in the major cities of India.
From 1968 to 1975 he imparted training to advanced Kathak students, both Indians as well as foreigners, at Kala Chhaya, Pune. During this period he also choreographed many duet and group compositions such Talmala, Talchakra, Himraja, Rajput-Ramani, Shahi-Mehfil, Hindola, Kathak ki Kahani, Holi, Tarana, etc. He also choreographed full-length dance dramas like Kaliyadaman, Makhanleela, Banseeleela, and Shyam Bansuriya. For this creative talent in choreography of his, Munna Shukla has been well acclaimed by connoisseurs and press.
He has worked with the students of Film and TV Institute of India, imparting training in classical dancing to them. He has also given dance direction in few Marathi plays.
Munna Shukla has been associated with Kathak Kendra (National Institute of Kathak Dance) New Delhi, since 1976. Over these years until now he has trained several artistes of the Kendra. He has also composed innumerable pieces that have delighted the audience time and again. Shan-e-Mughal (a full-length dance drama), Tratak, Kathak Prasang, Anvesha, Kraunch-Badh, Chaturang, Anga-Muktri, Raganvita, Goverdhan, Bahar, and Kathakayan are to mention just some of his innovative but always within the authentic framework of Kathak compositions. Those works of his reveal a rare combination of technical competence and creativity.
During his dance career Munna Shukla has travelled around India and abroad to perform as well as to teach and to give lecture-demonstrations, alone or with his students.
[edit] Other Works
- Azeezunisa – Dance direction in one play for National School of Drama, New Delhi, 1998;
- Ameer Khusro – an opera for P.K. Kendra, 1997;
- Inder-Sabha – an opera for National School of Drama, New Delhi, 1996.
[edit] Awards
- Samman of Sahitya Kala Parishad, 2003;
- Sarangdeo Award by Sur Singar Samsad, Bombay, 1989;
- U.P.S.N. Akademi Award, 1988.
