Culture doyens Pandit Birju Maharaj and poet Gulzar were in Patna on Sunday. While the kathak maestro interacted with Kilkari Bihar Bal Bhavan kids during Samvad, the poet, lyricist and filmmaker addressed questions by children at the release of Pluto, a bi-monthly magazine, which is going to be published by Takshila Publications — a unit of Takshila Educational Society. Poets like Gulzar and Prayag Shukla and artists like Shobha Ghare would contribute to the bi-monthly. The magazine has been started in an attempt to create quality literature for children in Patna. The event Samvad was organised by Ninad Centre for Arts on the Kilkari premises. More than 250 kids attended the event. Pandit Birju Maharaj appreciated the students’ efforts and gave them tips on tihai and amad forms. Addressing the audience, Pandit Birju Maharaj said kathak was a compelling combination of bodily grace, narrative mime, lyrical melody and complex rhythms. “Rhythm is virtually everything. Our life is based on rhythm and nature moves in rhythm,” he said. Saswati Sen, a senior disciple of Pandit Birju Maharaj portrayed a game of hockey and canon firing its way into a battlefield through her dance.

Sen talked about the hand gestures and subtle emotional facial expressions. She also enacted every move. Gulzar gave tips to the children on how to find their muse, overcome writer’s block and express themselves. “I hadn’t realised I write well. When I received your appreciation, I realised this. You should try to express yourself and your feelings when you write. The truth will always reflect in your work.” said Gulzar, addressing the children. Present on the occasion were Sahitya Akademi award winning poet Arun Kamal. Children recited poems written by them. They presented poems and sketches made by them to Gulzar.

Text by Faryal Rumi and Ayesha Hassan, pictures by Ashok Sinha and Jai Prakash