Lucknow, Oct. 30 -- The executive and general council of the Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan has approved the creation of an annual award, the Birju Maharaj Kathak Samman, in honour of the legendary Kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj. The decision was taken during the council's meeting held on Wednesday, which was attended by senior members of the institute, including its president and noted Kathak exponent Kumkum Dhar. The council discussed preliminary guidelines for the award and decided that it will be presented every year to an accomplished artist who has made significant contributions to the field of Kathak. The final approval of the award's rules and regulations will be taken up in the next meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Kumkum Dhar said the objective of the award is to promote and preserve the rich legacy of Kathak and to inspire younger generations to pursue excellence in the classical dance form. The meeting also considered a proposal to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with various universities to integrate Kathak education into academic curriculums. In addition, the council discussed plans to promote Kathak through high-level programs across districts, increase the number of training workshops, enhance music and dance education in schools and colleges, and expand the presence of Kathak on international platforms....