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Renowned Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj has passed away due to heart attack. Padma Vibhushan awardee Birju Maharaj, 83, breathed his last on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday at Delhi’s Saket Hospital. His grandson Swaransh Mishra gave information about this through a social media post. Singers Malini Awasthi and Adnan Sami have also paid tribute to him through social media posts.
Birju Maharaj was born on 4 February 1938 in Lucknow. His full name was Pandit Brijmohan Mishra.
Malini Awasthi wrote – Today the rhythm of Indian music has stopped. The voices became silent. Price dropped to zero. Pandit Birju Maharaj, the king of Kathak, is no more. The Deodhi of Lucknow was deserted today. Maharaj ji, who spread the fragrance of the glorious tradition of Kalikabindadin ji all over the world, merged with infinity.
Adnan Sami wrote on social media – Deeply saddened by the news of the demise of great Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj. Today we have lost a unique institution in the field of art. He has influenced generations with his talent.
Birju Maharaj, who belongs to the Lucknow Gharana, was born on 4 February 1938 in Lucknow. His real name was Pandit Brijmohan Mishra. Apart from being a Kathak dancer, he was also a classical singer. Birju Maharaj’s father and guru Achhan Maharaj, uncle Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj were also famous Kathak dancers.
Birju Maharaj was awarded the National Film Award in 2012.
Birju Maharaj choreographed dance for films like Devdas, Dedh Ishqiya, Umrao Jaan and Baji Rao Mastani. Apart from this, he also gave music in Satyajit Ray’s film ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’.
Birju Maharaj choreographed two of Madhuri’s major films, Devdas and Dedh Ishqiya.
In 2016, Birju Maharaj was given the Filmfare Award for Bajirao Mastani’s Mohe Rang Do Lal.
Birju Maharaj was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1983. Along with this, he has also received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Kalidas Samman. The Banaras Hindu University and Khairagarh University also conferred honorary doctorates on Birju Maharaj.
In 2012, he was awarded the National Film Award for Dance Choreography in the film Vishwaroopam. In 2016, Bajirao Mastani’s Mohe Rang Do Lal won the Filmfare Award for his choreography.
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