Legendary Kathak Dancer Birju Maharaj passed away at 83

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Legendary Kathak Dancer Birju Maharaj passed away at 83
17 Jan 2022
5 min read

News Synopsis

The legendary Kathak dancer, Birju Maharaj has passed away at the age of 83. His granddaughter of Birju Maharaj said that he was under treatment for the past two months and was taken to the hospital after sudden breathlessness last night, where he was passed away.

Birju Maharaj belonged to the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of Lucknow. He was born in February 1937 in a well known Kathak dancing family and was named Brij Mohan Nath Mishra. He started performing as a child with his father Achchan Maharaj and soon became a Guru. 

He won the coveted Sangeet Natak Akademi Award at the age of 28 for his mastery of the dance form. He developed his own style with his perfect rhythm and expressive abhinaya (gesture language). Birju Maharaj was also a brilliant choreographer and helped in popularising dance dramas.

He also received several awards for his contribution to the performing arts including the highest civilian award of India, the Padma Vibhushan in 1986.

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