Legendary Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj has died, news agency ANI reported on Monday, citing his relatives. He is 83 years old.
“He’s been in treatment for the past month. He suddenly had difficulty breathing around 12:15-12:30 last night; we took him to the hospital within 10 minutes, but he passed away,” said his granddaughter Ragini Maharaj told ANI. She added that his image in my mind was always smiling.
Birju Maharaj is the representative of Kalka-Bindadin Gharana in Lucknow.
On February 4, 1937, he was born into a famous Kathak dance family under the name Brij Mohan Nath Mishra. Besides his father Achchan Maharaj and uncles Shambhu and Lachchu Maharaj, he was also influenced by Bindadeen Maharaj.
He started performing with his father since childhood and became a maharaj (Maharaj) in his teens. Birju Maharaj also performed at the durbar in Rampur Nawab.
By the age of 28, Birju Maharaj’s mastery of the dance form earned him the coveted Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Known for its perfect rhythm and expressive abhinaya or gesture language, Birju Maharaj has developed his own unique style. He was known for his excellent choreography and helped popularize ballet theatre.
Birju Maharaj has received numerous awards for his contributions to the performing arts, including one of the country’s highest civilian honors, the Padma Vibhushan in 1986.
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
