Pandit Birju Maharaj Age, Death, Family, Wife, Children, Biography & More

 Some Lesser Known Facts About Pandit Birju Maharaj

• Pt. Birju Maharaj was the proponent of the ‘Lucknow Kalka-Bindadin’ gharana of Kathak dance in India.

• He was the descendant of the legendary Kathak dancers, including his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj.

• He gave his first recital at the age of seven.

• He was trained by his uncles and his father.

• His father died when he was nine and after a few years of struggle, his family moved to Delhi.

• He then started teaching Kathak at the young age of 13, at Sangeet Bharti in New Delhi.

• He composed the music, and sang, for two dance sequences in the Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj ke Khilari.

• He choreographed the song ‘Kaahe Chhed Mohe’ from the film- Devdas, ‘Deewani’ song from Bajirao Mastani, Dedh Ishqiya, Umrao Jaan and many more Bollywood songs.

• He won many accolades, including Padma Vibhushan in 1986, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Kalidas Samman.

• While talking to the reporters, his granddaughter confirmed the news of his demise on 16 January 2022. She said,
  

  He was under treatment for the past month. He had sudden breathlessness at around 12:15-12:30 am last night; we brought him to the hospital within 10 mins, but he passed away.”