Birju Maharaj, the legendary Kathak exponent who took traditional Indian dance to the world, died at his home here early Monday, his granddaughter said. He would have turned 84 the next month. Maharajji, as he was popularly known, was surrounded by his family and disciples. Ragini Maharaj told PTI that he was playing Antakshari after dinner, when suddenly his health deteriorated.
Birju Maharaj, one of India's best-known and most beloved artists, belonged to the Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Lucknow. His family consists of five children, three daughters and two sons and five grandchildren. He was suffering from kidney ailment and was undergoing dialysis treatment for the past one month due to high diabetes. His granddaughter said he probably died of cardiac arrest.
“He was with us when this happened. He had his meal and we were playing 'antakshari' because he liked old music. He was lying down... and suddenly his breathing became uneven. We think it was a cardiac arrest as he too was a heart patient. This happened between 12.15 am and 12.30 am. It must have only been a minute or so. We reached the hospital but unfortunately we could not save him. He died before reaching the hospital,” said Ragini, a Kathak dancer herself, adding that the only consolation for the family is that she did not suffer too much in her last moments.
“Two of his disciples and his two granddaughters, my younger sister Yasyashwini and I, were with him when it happened. He was laughing and smiling in his last moments,” she said. There was a wave of mourning as soon as the news of the death of the Kathak maestro, who would have turned 84 on February 4, came.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his death is an "irreparable loss" to the entire art world. Deeply saddened by the demise of Pandit Birju Maharaj Ji, who gave Indian dance a special recognition across the world. His passing is an irreparable loss to the entire art world. My condolences to his family and fans in this hour of grief."
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described the artist as a "legend of the performing arts". Affectionately called Pandit-ji or Maharaj-ji by his disciples and followers, he said that the younger generation has many opportunities to learn compared to their time. In his last interview with PTI in December, Birju Maharaj had said that the future of Kathak, one of the most beautiful classical dance forms, was bright with the new generation in India carrying on the tradition.
“Artists who zealously work towards carrying forward the tradition are the true pioneers of an art form and its legacy. Staying true to a powerful tradition like classical dance requires a lot of hard work and dedication,” the Padma Vibhushan awardee had said. Brajmohan Maharaj or Birju Maharaj was a descendant of the Maharaja family of Kathak dancers. He took training from his father and guru Achan Maharaj and uncles Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj.
Singer Durga Jasraj, daughter of the late Pandit Jasraj, called Birju Maharaj's death "a great loss to the Indian performing arts". “With the passing of the great Pt. Birju Maharaj ji, we have become poorer, shattered. Praying that Maharaj ji's soul rest in peace. Deepest condolences to his family, disciples and fans around the world. Om Shanti,” he wrote on Twitter. Composer Adnan Sami said, “We have lost a unique institution in the field of performing arts. He has influenced generations with his talent."
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