The living legend of Kathak, Birju Maharaj, who had been diagnosed with kidney disease a few days ago and put on dialysis, died at his home here late on Sunday. He was 83.
Birju Maharaj was born into a well-known Kathak dancing family. He began performing as a child alongside his father, Acchan Maharaj. Briju Maharaj was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps and make a name for himself as one of the foremost dancers in the genre, in India. He also practised Hindustani classical music and was a vocalist.
He was born Brij Mohan Nath Mishra on February 4, 1938. At the age of 28, Birju Maharaj’s mastery of the dance form had won him the coveted Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Kathak maestro and Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Birju Maharaj will always be remembered for two dance sequences in the Satyajit Ray's Shatranj ke Khilari, and choreographed the song Kaahe Chhed Mohe from the 2002 film version of novella Devdas.
Birju Maharaj was known for his expressions, his renditions of thumris and dadras. He also played the naal, the tabla, and the violin. Birju Maharaj wass the leading exponent of the Lucknow Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Kathak dance. He promoted Lucknow’s culture throughout his life. His great contribution to Indian dance and cinema is unforgettable.