Munna Shukla is a leading Kathak guru and choreographer of the Lucknow Gharana. Based in New Delhi, Shukla specializes in Kathak, a classical dance form of North India. He has imparted Kathak training to innumerable students. Some of his famous disciples are Kavita Thakur, Shruti Shukla and Rakhi Dubey. Over the years as a dancer and choreographer, he has composed various dance dramas including Shan-e-Mughal, Tratak, Kathak Prasang, Anvesha, Kraunch-Badh, Chaturang, Anga-Muktri etc. He is the recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest award for performing artists.
Early Life of Munna Shukla
He was born on December 7, 1943. His family has been involved in dance for generations. He is the grandson of the legendary Kathak Maestro, Achhan Maharaj and the nephew of the famous and illustrious Birju Maharaj.
It was his father late Sunder Lal Shukla, disciple of Achhan Maharaj, who trained him in Kathak in his initial days. He received his further training from Birju Maharaj in New Delhi under the National Scholarship Scheme offered by the Ministry of Culture. During the training period, he participated in many productions and gave several solo performances in the various parts of the country.
Career of Munna Shukla
From 1968 to 1975, he taught this art form to advanced Kathak students at Kala Chhaya, Pune. His students were both Indians and foreigners. The period also saw him choreographing a number of duet and group compositions such as Himraja, Talmala, Talchakra, Rajput-Ramani, Shahi-Mehfil, Hindola, Kathak ki Kahani to name a few. The full-length dance dramas choreographed by him are Kaliyadaman, Makhanleela, Banseeleela, and Shyam Bansuriya. He has also imparted education on classical dance to the students of Film and Television Institute of India. He has also given dance direction in a few Marathi plays.
From 1976 to early 2000s, Shukla was associated with Kathak Kendra (National Institute of Kathak Dance) New Delhi. Then after retiring from the institute, he continues to teach in East Delhi as well as at Bharatiya Kala Kendra.
Awards of Munna Shukla
Shukla has earned various awards for his contribution as a classical dancer. The awards are as follows-
•He earned Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006.
•He won Samman of Sahitya Kala Parishad in 2003.
•He was honoured with Sarangdeo Award by Sur Singar Samsad, Bombay (now Mumbai), in 1989.
•He won U.P.S.N. Akademi Award in 1988.
