For director Harsh Mohan Mishra, his upcoming documentary, Rhythm of Heritage—The Untold Story of Pandit Ram Mohan Maharaj, is deeply personal. As the son of the legendary Kathak dancer, the filmmaker sees the docu as a tribute to not only him, but also to grandfather Shambhu Maharaj and uncle Padma Vibhushan Birju Maharaj.

More importantly, he views it as an ode to the art form of Kathak that has been an integral part of India’s cultural heritage. “The film tells the story of Pandit Ram Mohan Maharaj, the last torchbearer of the illustrious Lucknow Gharana. As someone born into this legacy, I felt a deep responsibility to honour the sacrifices of the artistes who came before me. We often celebrate our culture’s grandeur, but rarely see the personal struggles of those who dedicate their lives to preserving it,” says Harsh.