Pandit Birju Maharaj: The Legendary Kathak dancer, sensitive poet passes away-2022
Kathak great Pandit Birju Maharaj, 83, died late Sunday at his residence in Delhi of a heart attack.
He was one of India’s best-known artists. Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian honour, he was affectionately known as Pandit-ji or Maharaj-ji by his pupils and admirers.
Pandit Birju, a Kathak exponent, was a member of Lucknow’s Kalka-Bindadin Gharana.
Brij Mohan Nath Mishra was born on February 4, 1937, into a well-known Kathak dance family.
Aside from his father Achchan Maharaj and uncles Shambhu and Lachchu Maharaj, he was influenced by Bindadeen Maharaj.
Pandit Birju Maharaj has received several accolades and medals, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan (1986).
The Madhya Pradesh government honoured him with the Kalidas Samman.
He was also honored with the Lata Mangeshkar Puraskaar.
He won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for the film ‘Bajirao Mastani’ in 2016.