New Delhi, 10:15 PM :
Kathak emperor Pandit Birju Maharaj passed away at the age of 83
Renowned Kathak dancer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Birju Maharaj has died of a heart attack at the age of 83. His real name was Pandit Brijmohan Mishra. Apart from being a Kathak dancer, he was also a classical singer.
Famous Kathak dancer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Birju Maharaj has died at the age of 83 due to heart attack. He breathed his last at his residence in Delhi. Birju Maharaj, who belongs to Lucknow Gharana, was born on 4 February 1938.
His last rites will be performed at 1 pm at the crematorium on Lodhi Road, Delhi. Birju Maharaj was a Kathak dancer as well as a classical singer. He gave new heights to Kathak dance. He has been awarded with many awards. The Banaras Hindu University and Khairagarh University conferred honorary doctorates on Birju Maharaj.
Born in the Kathak family of Lucknow, Birju Maharaj’s father’s name was Achhan Maharaj, while his uncle’s name was Shambhu Maharaj. Both the names were among the famous artists of the country. After the death of his father at the age of nine, the responsibility of the family fell on the shoulders of Birju Maharaj. Nevertheless, he started taking Kathak dance training from his uncle and started the journey of life.
Birju Maharaj choreographed dance for many Bollywood movies 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’. She was awarded the National Film Award in 2012 for her dance choreography in the film Vishwaroopam. Apart from this, in the year 2016, he received the Filmfare Award for the choreography of the song ‘Mohe Rang Do Lal’ by Bajirao Mastani.
