Category : ObituariesPublished on: January 18 2022
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Kathak legend Pandit Birju Maharaj has died of a heart attack at his home in Delhi.
He was 83 years old.
He has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian award. He was born as Brij Mohan Nath Mishra on February 4, 1937, in a well-known family of Kathak dancers.
He was affectionately called Pandit-ji or Maharaj-ji by his disciples and followers, and was one of India's most famous artists.
Birju Maharaj was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, which includes his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father and mentor, Achan Maharaj.
Birju Maharaj was also an outstanding singer, who contributed greatly to the songs of Thumri, Dadra, Bhajan and Ghazal.