Legendary Kathak Maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj passes away at 83

New Delhi: Famous Kathak dancer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Birju Maharaj has died at the age of 83 due to heart attack. He breathed his last at his residence in Delhi. Birju Maharaj, who belongs to Lucknow Gharana, was born on 4 February 1938. His real name was Pandit Brijmohan Mishra. Apart from being a Kathak dancer, he was also a classical singer.

Pandit Birju Maharaj passes away:

Birju Maharaj has given new heights to Kathak dance. He has been awarded with many awards. The Banaras Hindu University and Khairagarh University conferred honorary doctorates on Birju Maharaj.

His death was first reported by his grandson Swaransh Mishra through a social media post. He wrote, 'It is with great sadness that we have to tell that today we have lost the most dear member of our family, Pandit Birju Ji Maharaj. He breathed his last on 17 January. Pray for the peace of the departed soul.

Born in the Kathak family of Lucknow, Birju Maharaj's father's name was Achhan Maharaj, while his uncle's name was Shambhu Maharaj. The names of both were included in the famous artists of the country. After the death of his father at the age of nine, the responsibility of the family fell on the shoulders of Birju Maharaj. Nevertheless, he started taking Kathak dance training from his uncle and started the journey of life.

Choreographed many Bollywood songs:

Birju Maharaj choreographed dance for many Bollywood movies like Devdas, Dedh Ishqiya, Umrao Jaan and Baji Rao Mastani. Apart from this, he also gave music in Satyajit Ray's film 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi'. He was awarded the National Film Award in 2012 for her dance choreography in the film Vishwaroopam. Apart from this, in the year 2016, he received the Filmfare Award for the choreography of the song 'Mohe Rang Do Lal' by Bajirao Mastani.

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