Pandit Birju Maharaj received which of the following awards in 1986?

Padma Vibhushan

The correct answer is Option (3) - Padma Vibhushan

Pandit Birju Maharaj received the Padma Vibhushan award in 1986. The Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in India, recognizing exceptional and distinguished service in various fields including art, literature, science, public affairs, and civil service. Birju Maharaj, a renowned Kathak dancer and choreographer, was honored with this prestigious award in recognition of his immense contributions to Indian classical dance.

Pandit Birju Maharaj is celebrated globally as a maestro of Kathak, one of the eight classical dance forms of India. He comes from a distinguished lineage of Kathak dancers and has inherited and enriched this traditional dance form over generations. Birju Maharaj's contributions to Kathak dance are immense, spanning decades of teaching, choreography, performances, and artistic innovation.

The Padma Vibhushan conferred upon Pandit Birju Maharaj in 1986 acknowledges his unparalleled mastery, dedication, and service to the field of Indian classical dance. This prestigious honor underscores his significant impact on the preservation, promotion, and elevation of Kathak as a revered art form both in India and on the international stage.