Munna Shukla Biography 
Munna Shukla is a Kathak guru and choreographer of Lucknow Gharana, from Delhi. In 2006, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest award for performing artists for his overall contributions to Indian art. He is a grandson of the noted Kathak Maestro, Achhan Maharaj, and a nephew of Birju Maharaj, all belonging to Lucknow Gharana.
Munna Shukla was born on December 7, 1943 in Lucknow. Shukla received his initial training in Kathak from his father Sunder Lal Shukla. Later he was trained by his uncle Birju Maharaj with the scholarship under the National Scholarship Scheme offered by the Ministry of Culture for further studies.while training was going on he delivered several solo and group performances in major cities. From 1968 onwards, he started training students – both Indians as well as foreign students in Pune and he continued it till 1975 when he moved to Kathak Kendra (National Institute of Kathak Dance). He has been associated with this institution till his retirement in the early 2000’s.
Later he continued teaching in East Delhi and at Bharatiya Kala Kendra. He has also teached students of Film and Television Institute of India. He has choreographed a full-length dance drama titled Shan-e-Mughal. Goverdhan, Kraunch-Badh, Chaturang, Raganvita, Bahar, Tratak, Kathak Prasang, Anga-Muktri, Kathakayan and Anvesha are other noted works. Inder Sabha is an opera for National School of Drama staged in the year 1996. Azeezunisa is a one act play for National School of Drama, New Delhi in 1998. Other major awards received by Shukla are Samman of Sahitya Kala Parishad in 2003, Sarangdeo Award by Sur Singar Samsad Mumbai in 1989 and U.P.S.N. Akademi Award in 1988.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 27, 2014
