Birth, Age, Family, Career, Awards, Death, and More

Birju Maharaj Biography: Legendary Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj breathed his final within the early hours of January 17 at his house. He was surrounded by his household and disciples who had been taking part in ‘antakshari’ after dinner and possibly died of a cardiac arrest, in response to her granddaughter, Ragini Maharaj. 

“He was with us when this occurred. He had his dinner and we had been taking part in antakshari as a result of he cherished previous music. He was mendacity down, and all of a sudden his breath turned uneven. We predict it was a cardiac arrest as he was a coronary heart affected person,” mentioned Ragini Maharaj.

She additional added, “This occurred between 12:15 and 12:30 a.m. We rushed him to the hospital however sadly could not save him. He died earlier than reaching the hospital.”

Birju Maharaj, who was affected by a kidney ailment, was below dialysis attributable to excessive diabetes. He’s survived by 5 youngsters, three daughters and two sons, and 5 grandchildren. 

Because the demise information of Kathak maestro unfold, condolences poured in from the world over. At this tragic and unlucky second, let’s check out the lifetime of Birju Maharaj. 

Birju Maharaj Biography

Birju Maharaj Biography: Beginning and Household

Birju Maharaj was born on 4 February 1938 in Handia, United Provinces, British India to  Acchan Maharaj of Lucknow Gharana (Jagannath Maharaj). He was skilled by his father and uncles, Lachhu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj. His father who served as a courtroom dancer in Raigarh princely state died on 20 Could 1947, when Birju Maharaj was 9 years previous. 

Birju Maharaj Profession

Birju Maharaj as a Dancer

Birju Maharaj began accompanying his father for musical conferences throughout India on the age of seven. His first main solo efficiency at Manmath Nath Ghosh celebrations in Bengal earned him the popularity of a younger dancer with nice potential. 

On the age of 28, he acquired the coveted Sangeet Natak Academy award in addition to different prestigious awards throughout his life together with Kalidas Samman, Nritya Choodamani, Andhra Ratna, Nritya Vilas, Adharshila Shikhar Samman, Soviet Land Nehru Award, Shiromani Samman, Rajiv Gandhi Peace Award.

Over time, his solo dance performances turned an integral a part of virtually all of the musical conferences held the world over.  

In his preliminary years, he represented India at numerous festivals worldwide. He extensively toured a number of nations for performances in addition to lecture-demonstrations together with Russia, the US, Japan, UAE, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Burma, and Sri Lanka. 

On a number of events, he has carried out on the Rashtrapati Bhavan in honour of international dignitaries. 

Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, was conferred on him by the Authorities of India. BHU and Khairagarh College conferred Honorary Doctorate on him.

Birju Maharaj as Singer, Composer and Instrument Participant

Birju Maharaj was additionally an excellent drummer, prolific singer and composer. He was keen on taking part in Tabla and Naal, and with none formal coaching, he performed the Sitar, Sarod, Violin, Sarangi with ease. He was additionally a singer, having command over Thumri, Dadra, Bhajan and Ghazl. 

As he had an in-depth understanding of beats, he used to compose music for all his dance performances. He was fond of making tihais, particularly Ginti Ki Tihai. 

A grasp storyteller, he interlaced his performances with incidents from his life which had been narrated to captivate the viewers and saved individuals round him entertained with lifelike imitations and vivid descriptions.

Birju Maharaj as a Guru

Birju Maharaj was a devoted trainer who with the assistance of similes and metaphors defined the strategies intimately. He skilled lots of of disciples who’re actively pursuing Kathak all around the world. His 4 Gandaband Shaagird are Pratap Pawar, Munnalal Shukla, Prabha Marathe and Saswati Sen.

Gandabhandhan is a ceremony whereby a disciple is tied a sacred thread by the Guru to hold ahead the mantle of the Gharana, Guru and the Type. Earlier, the custom was restricted to relations, however now Gurus can select a number of disciples who’re anticipated to dedicate their lives to the pursuit of artwork.

Birju Maharaj as a Choreographer

Birju Maharaj gave a brand new dimension to Kathak and has choreographed quite a few items together with Makhan Chori, Phaag Bahar, Katha Raghunath Ki, Krishnayan, Roopmati Baajbahadur, Darbar-e-Salaami, Shaahi Mehfil, Laya Parikrama, Naad Gunjan, Ghunghru Sangeet, Samachar Darpan, File Katha, and Anamya. 

He has additionally directed composed music and sang songs in Bollywood motion pictures. He sang two classical dance sequences within the movie ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’, directed and composed a music piece for the movie ‘Dil To Paagal Hai’

He has additionally choreographed a gaggle dance based mostly on the music ‘Aan Milo Sajana’ in Gadar, choreographed, composed music and was the male lead singer for the music ‘Kahe Chhed Mohe’ within the movie Devdas. 

Birju Maharaj as a Poet 

Birju Maharaj was additionally a poet who wrote below the pen title Brijshayam, a synonym of his title Brijmohan. His poems had been on various topics starting from Krishna Bhakti to trendy poetry and satire. His poetic works are printed in Brijshyam Kahe, Anubhuti, and Anubhuti- 2. 

Birju Maharaj Awards

Birju Maharaj received a number of awards and accolades. These are talked about under.

1- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

2- Padma Vibhushan

3- Nritya Choodamani Award by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha

4- Kalidas Samman

5- Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar

6- Honorary doctorate from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya

7- Honorary doctorate from Banaras Hindu College

8- Sangam Kala Award

9- Bharat Muni Sammaan

10- Andhra Ratna

11- Nritya Vilas Award

12- Adharshila Shikhar Samman

13- Soviet Land Nehru Award

14- Nationwide Nritya Shiromani Award

15- Rajiv Gandhi Nationwide Sadbhavana Award

16- Nationwide Movie Award for Finest Choreography

17- Filmfare Award for Finest Choreography

Birju Maharaj Loss of life 

Birju Maharaj died on the age of 83 attributable to a cardiac arrest on 17 January 2022. On the time of his demise, he was surrounded by his household and disciples at his residence in Delhi.

The one solace for the household is that he didn’t endure an excessive amount of in his final moments. He was laughing and smiling throughout his final moments, in response to her granddaughter Ragini Maharaj. 

Additionally Learn | Navdeep Kaur Biography: Beginning, Age, Training, Profession, Husband, Awards, and Extra About Mrs India World 2021

Rishi Sunak Biography: Beginning, Age, Dad and mom, Training, Political Profession, Web Price, And Extra