India’s very respected and legendary Kathak performer, Pandit Birju Maharaj, had breathed his last early in the morning today (17th Jan 2022).
Pandit Maharaj-ji was 83 years old and the veteran dancer suffered from a cardiac arrest and passed away at New Delhi’s Saket Hospital.
Pandit-ji was a master of the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of the Lucknow style of Kathak. The news of his demise was first revealed by Pt Maharaj’s grandson Swaransh Mishra who took to social media to make everyone aware.
Pt. Birju Maharaj had been awarded the Padma Vibhushan (1986), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kalidas Samman, Rajiv Gandhi Peace Award and many more throughout his lifetime.
Pt Maharaj-ji is succeeded by his 5 children, three daughters and two sons. Apparently, Pandit-ji had been under treatment for the past month and complained of breathlessness in the early hours of the 17th of January. May the legend’s soul rest in peace.