Kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj is no more; nation mourns the legend. The 83-year-old had reportedly suffered a heart attack. Birju Maharaj was born as Brij Mohan Nath Mishra on February 4, 1937 in a well-known Kathak dancing family.
He began performing as a child alongside his father, and became a Guru in his teens. By the time he was 28, Birju Maharaj’s mastery of the dance form had won him the coveted Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
An exponent of the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of Lucknow, he was known for his perfect rhythm and expressive gesture language. Birju Maharaj was the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to the performing arts, including one of the country’s highest civilian honours, the Padma Vibhushan in 1986.
The Kathak exponent was an equally prolific singer, poet and painter. While his work in the Indian film industry was comparatively limited, he left his distinct stamp every time he choreographed actors. By Maharaj’s own admission, his favourite remained Madhuri Dixit with whom he worked in Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Devdas and Dedh Ishqiya.
He also directed Kamal Haasan in Vishwaroopam and Deepika Padukone in Bajirao Mastani. His first collaboration, however, was Satyajit Ray’s cult classic Shatranj Ke Khiladi.
The Kathak maestro choreographed pieces like “Makhan Chori” and “Phaag Bahar” in his early days.
His first brush with Indian cinema happened with Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977) in which he choreographed, composed music and even sang for two dance sequences. One was a performance where Wajid Ali Shah (Amjad Khan) is seen dancing with his queens. The other one was a solo dance forming the backdrop of a crucial sequence of the story.
Read More : Madhuri Dixit Nostalgic On Kathak Maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj
PM Modi mourned his demise and said , ‘His passing is an irreparable loss to the entire art world’.
Bollywood’s most elegant actress Madhuri Dixit also pays her condolences,she said ,”He was a legend but had a child like innocence. He was my guru but also my friend. He taught me the intricacies of dance and Abhinay but never failed to make me laugh at his funny anecdotes.”
“He has left behind grieving fans and students but also left a legacy we will all carry forward. Thank you Maharajji for everything you taught me in dance along with humility, elegance and grace,”Madhuri Dixit added .
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