Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj dies but his legacy will continue to mesmerise people

Kathak legend and Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Birju Maharaj passed away early on Monday, at his home in Delhi. Reportedly, his sudden demise was due to a heart attack. He was 83-years-old.

He was suffering from kidney disease, his diagnosis result came a few days ago, hence, he was put on dialysis. His grandson, Swaransh Mishra, shared the news of his death on 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.”

Born in February 4, 1938, he was named Brijmohan Nath Mishra and later got popular as Birju Maharaj. A dancer, composer, singer, and exponent of Lucknow “Kalka-Bindadin” Gharana of Kathak dance in India. He was a descendant of the legendary Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, including his uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj, Birju Maharaj.

At the age of 19 or 20, Birju Maharaj was invited by Shrimati Nirmala Joshi to work at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra, where Shambhu Maharajji had already joined. Maharajji’s main task was to assist his uncle and also to compose items, ballets, and dance dramas for their new unit.

Maharaj started teaching the dance form at the age of thirteen, and most of his students were children. He then taught at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi, and at the Kathak Kendra. He was the Head of Faculty and director here. He retired in 1998, after which he opened his own dance school, Kalashram, in Delhi.

Maharajji choreographed several successful dance-dramas during his tenure at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra, including ‘Kumar Sambhav’, ‘Shan-e-Avadh’, ‘Malti Madhav’, ‘Dalia’ and ‘Krishnayan’. The first group compositions that he made were ‘Govardhan Leela’ and ‘Holi Leela’.

Apart from that, Pandit Birju Maharaj had also contributed to the film industry with his talented choreography for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Devdas’, ‘Vishwaroopam’, ‘Dedh Ishqiya’ and ‘Bajirao Mastani’. He was awarded the National Film Award in 2012.

From Madhuri Dixit’s performance in “Kaahe Chedh Chedh Mohe” from the movie Devdas to Deepika Padukone’s mesmerizing performance in ‘Mohe Rang Do Laal’ from the film ‘Baji Rao Mastani’, several B-Town actresses have shined on his classic steps.

Last year, a book on his life, titled Nritya Samrat Pt. Birju Maharaj, was launched. Written by his disciples, associates, admirers and senior artistes, associates, and well-wishers from around the world, the book is a compilation of 96 (22 in English and 70 in Hindi) short essays. The anthology has been put together by Nandkishore Kapote, a senior disciple of Birju Maharaj.

The legend received the National Award for choreographing Unnai Kaanadhu Naan in Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam. The Kathak maestro was also honoured with the Padma Vibhushan , India’s second-highest civilian award, in 1986.

With one of the glorious eras of dance coming to an end with Pandit Birju Maharaj’s death, He left a legacy that will continue to mesmerise people through the years to come.