Birju Maharaj

🪔 About

Birju Maharaj, born Brijmohan Nath Mishra on February 4, 1938, in Handia, Uttar Pradesh, was a legendary Indian classical dancer, composer, singer, and the leading exponent of the Lucknow "Kalka-Bindadin" Gharana of Kathak dance. He was a direct descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, receiving his early training from his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj, and his uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj. He began performing at a young age, giving his first solo recital at seven. After his father's untimely death when Birju Maharaj was nine, he continued his rigorous training. He started teaching Kathak at the age of thirteen at Sangeet Bharti in New Delhi. He subsequently taught at Bharatiya Kala Kendra and later became the Head of Faculty and Director at Kathak Kendra, a unit of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, in Delhi. He retired from Kathak Kendra in 1998 and founded his own dance institution, Kalashram, also in Delhi, to impart holistic training in Kathak and allied arts. Beyond his exceptional dancing, Birju Maharaj was also a proficient Hindustani classical vocalist and percussionist, known for his ability to sing thumris while dancing. He choreographed numerous dance dramas and lent his choreographic talents to Indian cinema, notably for films like "Shatranj ke Khiladi" (1977), "Devdas" (2002), "Vishwaroopam" (2012), and "Bajirao Mastani" (2015), earning critical acclaim and awards for his film work. His contributions to Kathak were recognized with India's second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in 1986, among many other prestigious awards. He passed away on January 17, 2022, in Delhi, leaving behind an immense legacy through his performances, compositions, and a vast number of students worldwide. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1964), Padma Vibhushan (1986), Nritya Choodamani Award by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (1986), Kalidas Samman (1987), Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar (2002), Honorary doctorate from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Honorary doctorate from Banaras Hindu University, Sangam Kala Award, Bharat Muni Sammaan, Andhra Ratna, Nritya Vilas Award, Adharshila Shikhar Samman, Soviet Land Nehru Award, National Nritya Shiromani Award, Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award.