By Paras Ramoutar
Port-of-Spain, Nov 8 (IANS) Noted Kathak exponent Pandit Birju Maharaj mesmerised Trinidad and Tobago, capturing the imagination of the packed audience at Queen’s Hall that is a premier venue for cultural shows here.

Congress of the People Leader Winston Dookeran and his wife Shirley, Leader of the Opposition Basdeo Panday, former minister Joan Yuille-Williams, Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation director M.M. Sharma and broadcaster Hans Hanoomansingh and his wife Myrna were present.

Dookeran said: “One gets an unique feeling seeing Pandit Birju on stage. He is inspirational, well-versed in his discipline and a teacher of the world, not only in dance or music, but for life itself.”

Several local dancers, including Satnarayan Balkarasingh of Nrityanjali Theatre, honoured Maharaj who delivered a six-part presentation. Balkarasingh said Maharaj was his guru, adding that for more than 20 years he had been inviting him to come here to perform in this tiny nation where over 40 percent of the people are of Indian extraction.

Maharaj was accompanied by his disciples Saswati Sen and Mahu Shankar. The finale began with Maharaj and ended with Sen and Shankar joining the group in a climax of foot work and rhythmic interplay.

The troupe also gave lecture-demonstrations in music, dance and songs at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.