Famous Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj passed away at the age of 83. His grandson Swaransh Mishra gave this information on social media. On this occasion, people from different societies expressed their condolences on social media.
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What did Birju Maharaj’s granddaughter tell?
According to Ragini Maharaj, the granddaughter of Birju Maharaj, he has been undergoing treatment since last month. He was about to turn 84 the next month. Ragini Maharaj said,
“Suddenly, between 12:15 and 12:30 in the night, he started having trouble breathing. We took him to the hospital; he died after 10 minutes.”
What did Adnan Sami and Malini Awasthi say?
Many prominent personalities expressed grief over the death of Birju Maharaj, who was a dancer and a classical singer. Famous singer Adnan Sami wrote on Twitter.
“Deeply saddened by the news of the passing away of the great Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj. Today we have lost a unique institution in the field of art. He has influenced generations with his talent.”
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
Apart from this, Bhojpuri folk singer Malini Awasthi wrote on Twitter.
“Today, the rhythm of Indian music has stopped. The voices became silent. Prices dropped to zero. Pandit Birju Maharaj, the Sartaj of Kathak, is no more. The Deodhi of Lucknow became deserted today. Maharaj Ji, who spread the fragrance of the glorious tradition of Kalikabindadin Ji all over the world, merged with the infinite. This is an irreparable loss. “Peace”
आज भारतीय संगीत की लय थम गई। सुर मौन हो गए। भाव शून्य हो गए। कत्थक के सरताज पंडित बिरजू महाराज जी नही रहे। लखनऊ की ड्योढ़ी आज सूनी हो गई। कालिकाबिंदादीन जी की गौरवशाली परंपरा की सुगंध विश्व भर में प्रसरित करने वाले महाराज जी अनंत में विलीन हो गए।
आह!अपूर्णीय क्षति है यह
ॐ शांति🙏 pic.twitter.com/dLBEy5aPqR— मालिनी अवस्थी Malini Awasthi (@maliniawasthi) January 17, 2022
Politicians also expressed condolences.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi also condoled the death of Pandit Birju Maharaj.
Condoling the bereaved family by tweeting, PM Modi wrote,
“Deeply saddened by the passing away of Pandit Birju Maharaj Ji, who gave Indian dance art a unique recognition across the globe. His passing is an irreparable loss to the entire art world. My condolences to his family and fans in this hour of grief. om Shanti!”
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
At the same time, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi also wrote on social media, praying for the peace of the soul of Birju Maharaj,
“Deeply saddened by the passing away of Kathak Emperor, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj Ji. His passing is an irreparable loss to the art world. Praying to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed soul a place at his feet and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this loss. Peace!”
कथक सम्राट, पद्म विभूषण पंडित बिरजू महाराज जी का निधन अत्यंत दुःखद है।
उनका जाना कला जगत की अपूरणीय क्षति है।
प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत पुण्यात्मा को अपने श्री चरणों में स्थान व शोकाकुल परिजनों को यह दुःख सहने की शक्ति प्रदान करें।
ॐ शांति!
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 17, 2022
Who was Pandit Birju Maharaj
Pandit Birju Maharaj was born on 4 February 1938. His real name was Brijmohan Mishra. He was a descendant of the Maharaja family of Kathak dancers. Birju Maharaj’s two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father, Achan Maharaj, were also Kathak dancers. It was his uncle who taught him Kathak. When he was nine years old, his father, Achan Maharaj, died. Achan Maharaj was a Kathak dancer as well as a famous singer.
Awarded Padma Vibhushan
Birju Maharaj has also been honoured with many awards for his contribution to the Kathak dance. In 1964, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. In 1986, the Government of India honoured Birju Maharaj with Padma Vibhushan. After this, he has been honoured with more than a dozen awards, including Kalidas Samman, Lata Mangeshkar Award, Bharat Muni Award and Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award.
From the age of 13, she started teaching Kathak dance at Sangeet Bharti in Delhi. After this, he taught at Bhartiya Kala Kendra and Kathak Center in Delhi, from where he retired in 1998. After this, he opened his dance school in Delhi named Kalashram.
Two dances were choreographed in Satyajit Ray’s ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’. In 2002, he also choreographed the song ‘Kahe Chhede Mohe’ from the film Devdas. He has also choreographed dance in many Bollywood films, including Umrao Jaan, Dedh Ishqiya, Bajirao Mastani. In 2012, he was awarded the National Film Award for his dance choreography in Vishwaroopam.
