Pandit Birju Maharaj Passes Away At 83, Bollywood Mourns The Demise Of The Kathak Legend
Legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj passed away at his home in the early hours of January 17, Monday. One of India’s best-known artists and a recipient of the country’s second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, Brijmohan Mishra, popularly known as Pandit Birju Maharaj, was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers. Sharing the news about his demise, his grandson Swaransh Mishra took to his social media and wrote, “Very sad to announce.. Pt birju maharaj ji.. my nana ji is no more. With profound grief and sorrow, we inform the sad and untimely demise of our most beloved member of the family Pt Birju Maharaj ji. The noble soul left for his heavenly abode on 17th January 2022.” A few days back, he was diagnosed with kidney disease and was put on dialysis. Maharaj ji, 83, was the son of Acchan Maharaj and began accompanying him in dance festivals around the world at the age of 7. Ever since his first performance at the Manmath Nath Ghosh celebrations in Bengal, he has been the Indian representative of the art form on the world stage. Birju Maharaj is one of the most renowned Kathak gurus of India. While he was best known as a Kathak dancer, he was an equally prolific singer, poet and painter. Contributing to the world of music, art and cinema, he also is known for composing and singing for two classical dance sequences 1977’s Shatranj Ke Khilari by Satyajit Ray, he also choreographed actress Madhuri Dixit in Devdas and Dil Toh Pagal Hai and Deepika Padukone for ‘Mohe Rang Do Laal’ in Bajirao Mastani.
President Ram Nath Kovind called the demise of the Kathak dancer, “the end of an era,” adding that his passing away, “leaves a deep void in the Indian music and cultural space”.
The demise of legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj marks the end of an era. It leaves a deep void in the Indian music and cultural space. He became an icon, making unparalleled contribution to popularise Kathak globally. Condolences to his family and admirers.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 17, 2022
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the family and shared on his social media handle, “Deeply saddened by the demise of Pandit Birju Maharaj ji, who gave Indian dance forms a special recognition across the world. His passing is an irreparable loss to the entire world of art. My condolences to his family and fans in this hour of grief.”
भारतीय नृत्य कला को विश्वभर में विशिष्ट पहचान दिलाने वाले पंडित बिरजू महाराज जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। उनका जाना संपूर्ण कला जगत के लिए एक अपूरणीय क्षति है। शोक की इस घड़ी में मेरी संवेदनाएं उनके परिजनों और प्रशंसकों के साथ हैं। ओम शांति! pic.twitter.com/PtqDkoe8kd
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 17, 2022
Many celebrities from the entertainment industry mourned his death and paid tribute to the legendary artiste.
Film director, Subhash Ghai took to his social media handle and shared, “My first learning from Kathak dance maestro was in my college youth festival when he expressed a romantic conversation between lord Krishna n Radha thru his two eyes talking. I learnt ‘DANCE means body but soul is in eyes. That’s y he was a Jagat guru in kathak RIP BIRJU SIR”
My first learning from kathak dance maestro was in my college youth festival when he expressed a romantic conversation between lord krishna n radha thru his two eyes talking. I learnt ‘DANCE means body but soul is in eyes.
That’s y he was a Jagat guru in kathak💃🏽
RIP BIRJU SIR🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/yeWT5Fv23v— Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) January 17, 2022
Actor, Anupam Kher, shared a video and singer Adnan Sami remembered the legend and wrote on his social media handle, “Extremely saddened by the news about the passing away of Legendary Kathak Dancer- Pandit Birju Maharaj ji. We have lost an unparalleled institution in the field of the performing arts. He has influenced many generations through his genius. May he rest in peace.”
बिरजु महाराज…ओम् शांति!🙏🌺🙏 #BirjuMaharaj #Kathak pic.twitter.com/2se5620LSq
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) January 17, 2022
Extremely saddened by the news about the passing away of Legendary Kathak Dancer- Pandit Birju Maharaj ji.
We have lost an unparalleled institution in the field of the performing arts. He has influenced many generations through his genius.
May he rest in peace.🙏🖤#BirjuMaharaj pic.twitter.com/YpJZEeuFjH— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) January 16, 2022
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta shared the press note shared by the Maharaj family on Twitter and wrote, “One of Kathak’s greatest ambassadors is gone. RIP Panditji.”
One of Kathak’s greatest ambassadors is gone. RIP Panditji. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/FrLwSYyUn2
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) January 17, 2022
Pt. Birju Maharaj was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, Lucknow Kalka-Bindadin gharana. He was known for his brilliant compositions of thumri, dadra, bhajans and ghazals. The entire country has suffered a great loss today. Rest in peace, Pt. Birju Maharaj.
