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.
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.
Dil To Pagal Hai: Pandit Birju Maharaj and Madhuri Dixit had a long association in cinema together. Of the limited work that he took up in Indian cinema, most featured the actress who is known to be a gifted dancer. The duo first screen outing together was in Yash Chopra’s ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, which had a sequence of Madhuri, who played a dancer in the film, dancing to an instrumental piece- particularly the drums. The film featured the lead hero Shah Rukh Khan playing the drums while Madhuri Dixit danced to the beats. A beautiful fusion set, the sequence remains well-etched in everyone’s mind.
Devdas: Pandit Birju Maharaj and Madhuri Dixit again teamed up for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Devdas’. A musical love story set in per-independent India, it had Madhuri playing a prostitute/courtesan Chadramukhi. Several elaborate dance sequences were part of this Bollywood blockbuster. Birju Maharaj choreographed composed music and was the male lead singer for the song ‘Kahe Chhed Mohe’. The song was picturised on Dixit who emoted mostly through her eyes and facial expressions – a style in Kathak.
Dedh Ishqiya: Pandit Birju Maharaj and Madhuri Dixit’s final collaboration on-screen was a beautiful thumri (style of singing) called ‘Jagaave Saari Raina’ where Dixit reminiscing of her younger days, breaks into a dance. The song also has a portion recited by the maestro himself. Beautiful song with equally stunning choreography.
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 .
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.
कोटी कोटी प्रणाम🙏🏻#PanditBirjuMaharaj #Guruji #RIP
— Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) January 17, 2022
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Pandit Birju Maharaj Madhuri Dixit Kathak Maestro Tribute Administration Kolkata
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