Shaju Ahmed

🪔 About

Saju Ahmed is a renowned Kathak dancer, composer, director, and teacher from Bangladesh. Born in 1960 in Darshana, Chuadanga District, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), to Baharam Uddin Ahmed and Anwara Khatun, he embarked on his dance journey at a young age. He initially received dance lessons from Zeenat Jahan. His formal training included studies at the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) and the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Ahmed further specialized in Kathak, undertaking higher training at Kalashram Bidyaniketan, an institution established by the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj, and the Delhi Kathak Center in India. He is a direct disciple of Pandit Birju Maharaj. While primarily known for Kathak, he also received Kuchipudi lessons from Derik Monro of Rabindra Bharati University. Throughout his career, Saju Ahmed has been a leading exponent of Kathak dance in Bangladesh. He is recognized for his contributions as a performer, teacher, choreographer, and institution head. He served as the General Secretary of the Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangstha (Bangladesh Dance Artist Association) from 2002 to 2009. In 2003, he initiated and directed the annual Nritya Utsav "Milechi Milone Chonde Anonde" through the association, an event he organized for four consecutive years. Ahmed founded the "Kathak Dance Community," an institution dedicated to spreading Kathak dance education in the Guru-Shishya tradition. His notable choreographic works include dance dramas such as "Jenner's Karl," based on the life of Karl Marx, and a production based on "Desh Bhag." Saju Ahmed and his dance troupe have performed Kathak internationally in countries like Japan, Malaysia, and Qatar. He has been instrumental in advocating for the inclusion of dance in mainstream education programs in Bangladesh, with his efforts influencing the University of Dhaka. Since 2023, he has served as a resource person at Rabindra Srijanakala University. In recognition of his significant contributions to dance, Saju Ahmed was honored with the Shilpakala Padak by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in 2022. He continues to organize annual dance festivals across Bangladesh to promote classical dance. Awards & Honours: Shilpakala Padak (2022).