On Monday, the nation woke up to some upsetting news of Kathak legend Pandit Birju Maharaj's demise. He was 83.
The legendary dancer, a guru in the traditional sense who not just took Kathak to the world but also passed on his craft to generations of students, would have been 84 on February 4.
The doyen of Indian classical dance suffered a heart attack on late Sunday night at his residence in Delhi and was then rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.
"He was a legend but had a child-like innocence," Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit Nene wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter as she paid tribute to the legendary master.
Maharaj, as he was known, had worked with the actress in several films including 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai', 'Devdas' and 'Dedh Ishqiya'. He taught her the delicate and intricate dance moves for which Dixit is still famous in the country, years after moving on from the silver screen.
Remembering her "guru", the actress said that he was also her friend, who taught her the intricacies of dance.
"He was my guru but also my friend. He taught me the intricacies of dance and Abhinay but never failed to make me laugh at his funny anecdotes," she wrote alongside a picture from the past.
The actress further said that though he is gone, his legacy will forever stay through his students who will take it forward. Dixit also thanked Maharaj for teaching her humility, elegance and grace.
Born in the house of Kathak exponent Jagannath Maharaj, better known as Acchan Maharaj, Birju Maharaj started performing from the age of seven.
Brijmohan Nath Mishra, who went on to be known as Birju Maharaj, ruled many a stage with his impeccable footwork and emotive, stylised story telling the Kathak way. He trained under his father and guru Acchan Maharaj and uncles Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj.
He began as a young child by accompanying his father to places such as Kanpur, Allahabad and Gorakhpur and then on to far off places, including Kolkata and Mumbai, where he shared the stage with him.
After his father's demise, the young Birju Maharaj moved to Delhi and started teaching Kathak at the Sangeet Bharti to support his family. He was just 13 at the time.
He also taught at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi, and at the Kathak Kendra (a unit of the Sangeet Natak Akademi) where he was head of faculty and director, retiring in 1998.
Maharaj later opened his own dance school, Kalashram, also in Delhi.
His fame grew over the years. Soon, there came a time when Kathak, a form of dance that uses expressions and fluid movements to tell a 'katha' meaning 'story', became synonymous with Birju Maharaj.
The legendary dancer, a guru in the traditional sense who not just took Kathak to the world but also passed on his craft to generations of students, would have been 84 on February 4.
The doyen of Indian classical dance suffered a heart attack on late Sunday night at his residence in Delhi and was then rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.
"He was a legend but had a child-like innocence," Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit Nene wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter as she paid tribute to the legendary master.
Maharaj, as he was known, had worked with the actress in several films including 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai', 'Devdas' and 'Dedh Ishqiya'. He taught her the delicate and intricate dance moves for which Dixit is still famous in the country, years after moving on from the silver screen.
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Remembering her "guru", the actress said that he was also her friend, who taught her the intricacies of dance.
"He was my guru but also my friend. He taught me the intricacies of dance and Abhinay but never failed to make me laugh at his funny anecdotes," she wrote alongside a picture from the past.
He was a legend but had a child like innocence. He was my guru but also my friend. He taught me the intricacies of… https://t.co/NRssMnv8VR
— Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) 1642400632000The actress further said that though he is gone, his legacy will forever stay through his students who will take it forward. Dixit also thanked Maharaj for teaching her humility, elegance and grace.
"He has left behind grieving fans and students but also left a legacy we will all carry forward. Thank you Maharajji for everything you taught me in dance along with humility, elegance and grace," she added.
Born in the house of Kathak exponent Jagannath Maharaj, better known as Acchan Maharaj, Birju Maharaj started performing from the age of seven.
Brijmohan Nath Mishra, who went on to be known as Birju Maharaj, ruled many a stage with his impeccable footwork and emotive, stylised story telling the Kathak way. He trained under his father and guru Acchan Maharaj and uncles Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj.
He began as a young child by accompanying his father to places such as Kanpur, Allahabad and Gorakhpur and then on to far off places, including Kolkata and Mumbai, where he shared the stage with him.
After his father's demise, the young Birju Maharaj moved to Delhi and started teaching Kathak at the Sangeet Bharti to support his family. He was just 13 at the time.
He also taught at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi, and at the Kathak Kendra (a unit of the Sangeet Natak Akademi) where he was head of faculty and director, retiring in 1998.
Maharaj later opened his own dance school, Kalashram, also in Delhi.
His fame grew over the years. Soon, there came a time when Kathak, a form of dance that uses expressions and fluid movements to tell a 'katha' meaning 'story', became synonymous with Birju Maharaj.
( Originally published on Jan 17, 2022 )
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