NASHIK: Legendary Kathak dancer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Birju Maharaj passed away early on Monday after suffering a heart attack, marking the end of a memorable era and triggering an avalanche of mourning across the country. He was 83. Brij Mohan Nath Mishra, who later became famous as Birju Maharaj, was born into a Brahmin family in Lucknow on February 4, 1938.
Initially, his name was ‘Dukh Haran’, which was later changed to ‘Brijmohan’, a synonym of Lord Krishna. It was then shortened to ‘Birju’. His father, Acchan Maharaj, recognised his talent and took him under his guidance. After his father died when the boy was only nine years old, Birju began to be guided by his uncles Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj.
After giving his first recital at age 7, he began teaching at age 13 and remained, among other things, a teacher to a large crop of dance enthusiasts, winning both their affection and abiding love. He also practised Hindustani classical music and was a vocalist. Birju Maharaj headed the Kathak Kendra for years until his retirement in 1998, when he opened his own school Kalashram in Delhi.
“Birju Maharaj often embraced innovation. Birju Maharaj, who had a special knowledge of music and tabla, had maintained a close affection for Maharashtra. By making many excellent disciples, they freely shared their knowledge. We will never forget him and his legacy.”- Rekha Nadgauda (Director, Kirti Kala Mandir)
“He is proficient in many subjects like dance, music, painting, language. I consider myself lucky that at a very young age of 8, I received his first blessing. And from then on, whenever possible, my aunt and I would go to their workshop with Rekha Tai, my guru and mother. While learning from him he never showed his greatness, he was always down to earth. He used to teach children by becoming one of them. With his demise, the entire Kathak world has become an ‘orphan’. Even if Maharajji is no more, his deeds and the principles he inculcated are eternal and will last forever.”-Aditi Panse, Kirti Kala Mandi
“I met Maharaj in one of the workshop conducted by Vidya Deshpande of Nashik. At the same time, I got introduced with actual singing and dancing. There was a direct connection while accompanying him in the workshop. At that time, he explained the details of Kathak. And without bothering, he explained every minor thing of Latham. Even though he was such a great artist, he showed any pride and stayed humble. We learned a lot from him.”- Nitin Pawar (Tabla Academy Nashik)
“I got connected with Birju Maharaj back in 1998. I learned Kathak dance from him. After that, our bond became stronger. In the year 2007, Maharaj had come to the Kalaram Mandir for a program. I was also a part of that program. At that time, suddenly he felt unwell. But, even at that moment Maharaj performed and won the hearts of the audience by presenting his dance skills. We will never be forgotten that program. Then he came to my house at noon on the day of Ram Navami. It seemed to me that lord Ram had came to my home. Then also visited my class. At that time, seeing me teaching students he said “You are teaching it correctly”. This sentence still rings in my ears. Birju Maharaj also named my son Vyom.”- Deepa Monani
