Kathak doyen Birju Maharaj, who took the classical Indian dance form Kathak to the world, passed away on Monday 17^th January 2022.  He is survived by five children, three daughters and two sons, and five grandchildren. It was reported that he had been suffering from a kidney ailment and was under dialysis treatment for the last month due to high diabetes. He probably died of a cardiac arrest, said his granddaughter Ragini Maharaj.

Birju would have been 84 next month. Maharaj-ji, as he was popularly known, died surrounded by his family and disciples, laughing and smiling till the very end. They were playing antakshari' after dinner when he suddenly took ill, his granddaughter told PTI.

Birju was from Lucknow's Kalka-Bindadin Gharana. A recipient of the country's second highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan, Birju Maharaj was also a lifelong Kathak guru as well as a talented Hindustani classical singer and percussionist.

The demise of legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj marks the end of an era. It leaves a deep void in the Indian music and cultural space. He became an icon, making unparalleled contribution to popularise Kathak globally. Brajmohan Maharaj or Birju Maharaj was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers. He trained under his father and guru Acchan Maharaj and uncles Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj.

Birju Maharaj also trained several Bollywood actors, including Madhuri Dixit, a trained dancer herself, in the ‘Devdas’ song, Kaahe chhede mohe, and Deepika Padukone in ‘Bajirao Mastani’ song Mohe rang do laal, films Sanjay Leela Bhansali. His other film credits include ‘Vishwaroopam’, ‘Gadar’, ‘Janisar ‘and ‘Dedh Ishqiya’.

Ranked among India's best classical dancers ever, he received several awards in his career, including the Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akedami Award, Kalidas Samman, a National award as the best choreographer in ‘Vishwaroopam’ and a Filmfare award for ‘Bajirao Mastani’.