I can't choreograph dirty songs: Kathak legend Birju Maharaj

India's famed Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj, who choreographed actress Deepika Padukone in "Mohe rang do laal" for the National Award-winning film "Bajirao Mastani", says that he cannot choreograph "dirty songs" which involve skin exposure.

"In my songs, what I like is good clothes and good body language. I cannot choreograph dirty songs, where people are wearing fewer clothes. People might be able to (choreograph sleazy numbers) but I am definitely not game for such songs," Birju Maharaj told IANS here.

Having performed innumerable times on various stages across the world, the National Award-winning Kathak legend has also lent his skill to choreographing for films like Satyajit Ray's "Shatranj ke Khilari", Madhuri Dixit-starrer "Dedh Ishqiya" and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Devdas".

Birju Maharaj has the legacy of seven generations of Kathak dancers in a small village near Varanasi, which produced stalwarts like Thakur Prasad, Durga Prasad, Bhairon Prasad, Maharaj Bindadin, Achchan Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj.

--IANS

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