Lost in the taals and tukdas of a Kathak performance was the synonym of Indian classical dance, Birju Maharaj. The legend was in town to participate in the programme – Khusboo Lucknawi, organised by Kala Chaya. "My soul does the thinking for me. Probably this is the reason I miss out on basic details about the place where I m performing. What I remember is the laya and the taal and above all my Krishna," says the humble artiste.

Reflecting his unbound love for Lord Krishna, he recited a few lines form his compositions

Main jungle ki laakdi,
nahi kou hai mole,
adhar lapat ghanshayam ke,
bhai bahut anmole…

When asked what keeps him going at this age, he says, "Medically I am a patient of old age and many related ailments. But my soul refuses to accept the state of my body and once I tie the ghungroos, I feel energy flowing in my veins. I feel when my lover Krishna can maintain that enchanting smile on his face all the time, why can't I sing and dance for him endlessly."

Age doesn't seems to make any difference to the 71-year-old artiste, who was as excited to perform as one could be in his first performance. "Every time I perform I feel I am in Krishna's company and this what keeps me excited through out my performance."

Its unbelievable and blissful to see a 71-year-old Birju Maharaj perform the maakhan chori katha with the same adorably naughty expression on his face that only a child could have, says Shaswati Sen, renowned Kathak dancer, who was also in the city to be a part of the programme. Talking about the charishma in maharaj ji's performance, she says that because Maharaj ji feels God around him while performing, the feeling of divinityprevails throughout his performance."