Renowned Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj, who took the traditional Indian dance form Kathak to the world stage, was also a prolific singer, poet and painter. He was a descendant of the ‘Maharaj family’ of Kathak dancers. He took training from his father and Guru Achan Maharaj, uncle Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj.
Pandit Birju Maharaj. (Photo PTI)
New Delhi: Eminent Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj, who took the traditional Indian dance form Kathak to the world stage, died of a heart attack in the early hours of Monday at his home in Delhi.
Birju Maharaj, popularly known as Maharajji, was about to turn 84 next month.
His granddaughter Ragini Maharaj told that at the time of the death of Birju Maharaj, family members and his disciples were present around him. They were playing Antakshari after dinner, when Maharaj suddenly started having some trouble.
Birju Maharaj, a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second highest civilian award, was born as Brijmohan Nath Mishra on February 4, 1937, into a well-known family of Kathak dancers.
Birju Maharaj, one of the most famous and favorite artists of India, belonged to the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of Lucknow. He has five children and five grandchildren.
Birju Maharaj was a descendant of the ‘Maharaj family’ of Kathak dancers. He took training from his father and Guru Achan Maharaj, uncle Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj. His father Jagannath Maharaj is known as Achan Maharaj of Lucknow Gharana. He worked as a court dancer in the princely state of Raigad.
Apart from being a Kathak dancer, he (Birju Maharaj) was also a prolific singer, poet and painter.
Pandit Birju Maharaj composed and sang the music for two dance sequences in Satyajit Ray’s 1977 film Chess Ke Khiladi. Apart from this, choreographed (choreographed) the song Kahe Chheda Mohe… from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Devdas in the year 2002. In 2012, he received the National Film Award for Best Choreography for Kamal Haasan’s film Vishwaroopam.
Birju Maharaj was suffering from kidney ailment and was on ‘dialysis’ since last month due to high diabetes.
Ragini Maharaj said, ‘He was with us when this happened. Had him dinner and we were playing ‘antakshari’ because he loved old music. He was lying down and suddenly his breathing started becoming abnormal. According to us, he suffered a heart attack because he was also a heart patient.
Ragini said, ‘It happened between 12.15 to 12.30 in the night. It must have been like this for just a minute or two. We immediately took him to the hospital, but unfortunately we could not save him. He died before reaching the hospital.
Ragini, herself a Kathak dancer, said that the only thing of relief for the family is that she did not face much trouble in her last moments.
He said, ‘Two of his disciples and two granddaughters, my younger sister Yashaswini and I, were with him when it happened. He was smiling in his last moments.
According to the Indian Express report, the news of his death comes just days after his nephew and disciple Pandit Munna Shukla passed away at the age of 78 after a brief illness.
As soon as the news of Kathak veteran’s death came, condolence messages started pouring in.
President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said the death of veteran Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj marks the end of an era and expressed condolences to his family and fans.
Kovind tweeted, ‘The demise of veteran Pandit Birju Maharaj marks the end of an era. It has created a huge void in the Indian music and cultural field. He had become an icon, who made an incomparable contribution to popularize Kathak globally. Condolences to his family and fans.
The Vice President’s Secretariat tweeted, quoting M. Venkaiah Naidu, “Globally eminent Kathak dancers were an institution in themselves with their unique style and an inspiration to the entire world. His death is a big loss for the entire art world.
The Vice President said, ‘I express my heartfelt condolences to his family. om Shanti.’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the death of Birju Maharaj is an irreparable loss to the entire art world.
In a tweet, Modi said, ‘Deeply saddened by the demise of Pandit Birju Maharaj Ji, who gave Indian dance art a unique recognition across the world. His passing is an irreparable loss to the entire art world. My condolences to his family and fans in this hour of grief.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described the artist as a ‘stalwart of performing arts’.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in a tweet on Monday, ‘The demise of Kathak emperor, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj ji is extremely sad. His passing is an irreparable loss to the art world. Prabhu Shri Ram is prayed to give place to the departed virtuous soul at his feet and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this grief. Oh peace!’
Singer Durga Jasraj, daughter of late Pandit Jasraj, described Birju Maharaj’s death as a “huge loss to the Indian performing arts”.
Music composer Adnan Sami said, “We have lost a unique ‘institution’ in the field of performing arts. He has influenced generations with his talent.
(with input from news agency language)
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