One of India’s best-known and most loved artists, Birju Maharaj, died at 83. As he was popularly called, Maharaj-Ji died before his family and disciples. After dinner, they were played ‘Antakhari.’ Suddenly he went ill. He had been suffering from a kidney ailment and was under dialysis treatment. He probably died of a cardiac arrest, his granddaughter said. Condolences poured in as news of the death of the Kathak maestro, who would have been 84 on February 4, came in. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi said his death is an “irreparable loss” to the entire art world. Read on!
The Doyen of the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak, Birju Maharaj, was born on February 4, 1937, in present-day Uttar Pradesh. He was an Indian Dancer, Composer, and Singer. Birju Maharaj was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers,
which includes his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, his father, and his guru, Acchan Maharaj. He is survived by five children, three daughters, two sons, and five grandchildren.
A book on his life, titled ‘Nritya Samrat Pt. Birju Maharaj’, was launched last year. This book is a compilation of 96 (22 in English and 70 in Hindi) short essays written by his disciples, admirers, associates, and well-wishers worldwide. Finally, it has been put together by Nandkishore Kapote, who is a senior disciple of Birju Maharaj. The book contains many interesting anecdotes from his long journey in dance, along with his rare photographs. Saswati Sen, the prime disciple, speaks about his teaching style, while Janaki Patrik speaks about how Maharaj gives attention to every detail apart from postures and movements. The first female dancer from the Kalka-Bindadin, Mamta Maharaj, shares that he created productions that have enabled female performers to receive the same recognition as their male counterparts.
He received the country’s second-highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan for his exceptional and distinguished services in 1986. He received the country’s highest Indian recognition from practicing artists, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1964 and Kalidas Samman, Sangam Kala Award, Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award, etc. Apart from that, he received the National Film Award for best choreography for Unnai Kaanaathu (Vishwaroopam) in 2012 and the Filmfare Award for best choreography for Mohe Rang Do Laal (Bajirao Mastani) in 2016.
