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*Pandit Birju Maharaj’s Legacy Finds Its Next Torchbearer in Granddaughter Shinjini Kulkarni* *XX June 2026, Mumbai :*The upcoming episode of *Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar* hosted by *Rajeev Khandelwal* will witness a heartfelt and inspiring moment as renowned Kathak master *Shinjini Kulkarni* Pandit Birju Maharaj's Grand daughter opens up about the challenges, responsibilities, and pride that come with belonging to one of India's most celebrated artistic families. Questioning her about the expectations attached to her performance, being the grand daughter of the kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj, Rajeev Khandelwal asked Shinjini _“Bade legend ki aap naati hai, jabhi perform karti hai aapke dimag mein aisa chalta hai ke yeh sab log jante hai aap innki naati hai”._ Shinjini shared, " _Ek chotasa mera apna struggle hai rajeev ji, ofcourse logo ke jeevan ke hisaab se yeh bohot badi cheez nahi magar logo ko aapse itni jyada apeksha hoti hai ki, aapko koi galti karna allowed hi nahi hai, aur agar aapne koi galti kar bhi di aapse pehle aapke guru ke naam pe, nana ke naam pe aanch aajayegi toh aap humesha itne high bench mark ke against compete kar rahe hote hai ki mushkil hota hai, kai bar logo ko yeh bhi lagta hai ki aare tumhe toh sab kuch paros ke mil gaya, bohot aasani se mil gaya, aur uske piche ka humara jo riaaz hai, ghanto ki mehenat hai, jo hum aapne balbute pe, apni mehenat pe badhne ki koshis kar rahe hai, kai bar woh credit bhi chala jata hai. Magar uss samay mujhe bas itna yad rehta hai ki main dance, ya main kathak iss liye kar rahi hu kyunki bhagwan ne mujhe chuna iss parivaar mai paida hone ke liye, aur mujhe kisi aur se validation ki jaarurat nahi hai._ " Applauding her perspective and strong mindset, Rajeev said, _"Absolutely, vo kehte hai na legacy woh humare samaj mai kaha jata hai sirf ladke aage leke jate hai kisi bhi legacy ko, yaha pe aap, itni mahaan legacy ko aage leke ja rahi hai, woh bhi apne aap mai kabile tareef hai aur woh aasan nahi hai aur main samajh sakta hu, aur aab ye jo talent hai yeh jo art hai usse aur aage jana chahiye, main sochta hu umeed karta hu aur aage jab aap jayengi zindgi mai, toh yeh tradition chalta rahe, toh yeh talent chalta rahe, yeh legacy kabhi khatam nahi honi chahiye, jaise aapki mummy ne bataya 9th generation se yeh legacy chali aarahi hai, yeh bhi aapke upar pressure rehta hoga ki yaar isse aage bhejna hai._ " Talking about how she would like to utilize the prize money, Shinjini revealed that if she gets the opportunity to win, she hopes to use it to preserve and strengthen the oral traditions of Kathak and support young students who are passionate about the art form. Later Highlighting the importance of preserving the generational heritage, she added , _"My great Grand father unhone 5000 Thumriyan likhi aur kyunki woh aise hi yaad hoti thi ek peedhi se doosri peedhi tak students ko yaad karayi jaati thi, aur agli generation mein kai log kam umr mein hi guzar gaye,woh 5000 mai se mere nana ke pass sirf karib 500 hi reh pai, baki sab khatam ho gai, sab kho gai."_ To which Rajeev replied _"Yeh heritage hai matlab jise aapko sambhalke rakhna padta hai, aur jaise innhone kaha agar kuch baccho ki ruchi hai iss art form ki taraf toh unhe protsahan milna chaiye kyunki woh humare desh ki shaan hai, humara desh jaana jata hai iss tarha ki art form se_ ." As Shinjini later performed one of the most legendary and celebrated choreographies of Pandit Birju Maharaj _’Mohe Raang Do Laal’_ , Rajeev curiously asked her _“Aur yeh jo apne nritya kiya aapne yeh bhi aapke nanaji ka hi kya hai”_ . Expressing about how lucky she felt of being the part of such a legendary creation Shinjini revealed _“Iski choreography nana ji ne hi kari hai aur main bohot lucky thi ki Delhi mai jab iski rehearsal chal rahithi to Sanjay Bhansali ke sath aur Deepika Padukone ji ke sath humne rehalsal attend ki, unko train karte hue dekha ki ek non kathak dancer ko itne chote se samay ke andar kathak ki barikiya kaise sikhai ja sakti hai yeh bohot hi amazing experience tha.“_ Later Rajeev asks, _“Aur kabhi mauka mila hai ki aap kabhi Pandit Birju Maharaj ke sath dance kar sake kabhi, kabhi sath mai stage share kiya hai”_ Further responding to Rajeev’s question She revealed the biggest flex of her career was when she had the opportunity to perform in the USA not only with her grandfather but also sharing the stage with legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain. Expressing his gratitude Rajeev said _“Bataaiye kitni badi hasti ke sath main iss samay ki baat kar raha hu, yeh actual mai, jo log aise parivaar se nahi aate hai unhe aisa lagta hai ki, kitni lucky hai aap ki aapke parivaar mai aise legend hai, aur ye art form inhone zinda rakhi hai, aur aane wali generations ko bhi woh de ke gaye hai"_ The emotional exchange serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibility that comes with preserving centuries-old traditions and ensuring that India's rich heritage continues to inspire generations to come, and Tum Ho Naa continues to celebrate the person that strongly holds on to the legacy. *Watch Tum Ho Naa - Ghar Ki Superstar, hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal, every Monday to Friday at 9 PM only on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.*