Legendary Kathak Dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj passes away

Legendary Kathak dancer Brijmohan Mishra, popularly known as Pandit Birju Maharaj passes away at his home in Delhi. He was an exponent of the Lucknow Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of Kathak dance in India. Fondly called Pandit-ji or Maharaj-ji by his disciples Pandit Birju Maharaj was one of India’s best-known artists.

The Kathak maestro passed away at night, at an age of 83 due to a heart attack. His grandson Swaransh Mishra confirmed the news on his social media handle.

A recipient of the country’s second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, Birju Maharaj was reportedly playing with his grandsons late on Sunday night when his health deteriorated. He was taken to hospital where he was declared dead.

“He was under treatment for the past month. He had sudden breathlessness at around 12:15-12:30 am last night; we brought him to the hospital within 10 mins, but he passed away,” Ragini Maharaj, Birju Maharaj’s granddaughter, told ANI.

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The Kathak legend was a superb drummer and also a singer par excellence. In 2016, he bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for the film ‘Bajirao Mastani’.

Shocked by his demise many celebs tweeted their condolences:

Singer Adnan Sami tweeted his condolences, “Extremely saddened by the news about the passing away of Legendary Kathak Dancer- Pandit Birju Maharaj ji.”

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

“India has lost a jewel,” tweeted filmmaker Ashoke Pandit.

Sad to know about the demise of kathak legend & vocalist Padma Vibhushan Pandit #birjumaharaj ji after suffering a heart attack in Delhi.
Its an end of an era .
My heartfelt condolences to his family & near ones .
ॐ शान्ति !
? pic.twitter.com/4DJrPmXSaC

— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) January 17, 2022

May his soul rest in peace.

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan to present the Uttam Vag Geykar Award to Birju Maharaj