Tag: Pandit Birju

A recipient of the country’s second-highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan, Maharaj Ji was also a lifelong Kathak guru as well as a talented Hindustani classical singer and percussionist…reports Asian Lite News

The living legend of Kathak, Birju Maharaj, who had been diagnosed with kidney disease a few days ago and put on dialysis, died at his home here late on Sunday. He was 83.

Maharaj ji, as he was popularly known, was said to be playing with his grandsons when his health unexpectedly deteriorated, requiring him to be rushed to the hospital, where he died of a heart attack.

A recipient of the country’s second highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan, Maharaj ji was also a lifelong Kathak guru as well as a talented Hindustani classical singer and percussionist.

He will be remembered by cinema buffs for the two-period dance sequences in Satyajit Ray’s historical drama ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’ (for which he sang as well) and for the ‘Kaahe Chhed Mohe’ track picturised on Madhuri Dixit in the 2002 version of ‘Devdas’.

Maharaj ji won the National Award for choreographing ‘Unnai Kaanadhu Naan’ in the Kamal Haasan multi-lingual megahit ‘Vishwaroopam’ and the Filmfare Awards for the Bajirao Mastani number ‘Mohe Rang Do Laal’.

Extremely saddened to learn about the unfortunate demise of Kathak maestro, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj Ji. Heartfelt condolences to the family. Our prayers to God for the departed soul & to provide strength to the bereaved family. pic.twitter.com/rcjZFgegX4

— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) January 17, 2022

Adnan Sami, one of the first artists to pay his tributes to the doyen of Kathak, said in a tweet: “Extremely saddened by the news about the passing away of Legendary Kathak Dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj ji. We have lost an unparalleled institution in the field of the performing arts. He has influenced many generations through his genius. May he rest in peace.”

Another early tribute came from Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who tweeted: “Pandit Birju ji Maharaj was a doyen of India’s art and culture. He popularised the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak dance form around the world. … His passing away is a monumental loss to the world of performing arts.”

Birju Maharaj was the son of the exponent of the Lucknow Gharana, Jagannath Maharaj, better known as Acchan Maharaj, whom he lost when he was just nine. His uncles were the renowned Shambhu Maharaj and Lacchu Maharaj.

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. Condolences to his family and admirers.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 17, 2022

He taught at the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Kathak Kendra, both in Delhi, from where he retired as director in 1998.

ALSO READ-Pandit Birju delighted to showcase the rich art & legacy

READ MORE-INTERVIEW: Kathak Legend Pandit Birju Maharaj

It’s an absolute delight to showcase the rich art and legacy of the country to a live audience. All artists desire to perform in front of live audiences…reports Asian Lite News.

Known for its exchange cultural programmes in India and abroad, non-profit NGO, Routes2Roots recently held ‘Three Generations of Lucknow Gharana’, a Masterclass by Kathak grandmaster Pandit Birju Maharaj. We just caught up with the legend at the sidelines of the event to discover his thoughts on the guru-shishya parampara: Read Excerpts:

Do you agree that the Indian education system does not give importance to classical dance, music or the performing arts in general?

The Indian education system was devoid of classical, culture and performing arts; however, this void has been fulfilled with the new education policy. Hopefully, the schools will be able to introduce performing arts in their curriculum soon. Routes 2 Roots is doing a wonderful job of making our traditional art forms reach the children and the future generations of the country through Virsa.

During the pandemic it was not the Government that stepped in to help artists, it was the people who enabled and empowered each other in whichever way they could to help artists in need?

Pandemic was a disaster beyond imagination, and the whole world was struggling to survive, and so were we. The Government was fighting on many fronts, especially the health infrastructure and therefore help to artists was not forthcoming. I am proud that the citizens got up and helped everyone in need in those tiring times.

Are you happy that things are back to normal and one can perform in front of a live audience?

It’s an absolute delight to showcase the rich art and legacy of the country to a live audience. All artists desire to perform in front of live audiences. I am happy that the hardships of the artists now are over, and live performances have started though slowly. I pray to God that the coming time will be safe and healthy for us.

Do you feel in the performing arts, it’s only those with the patronage of a guru-shishya relationship who succeed?

Any art form cannot succeed without a Guru imparting the knowledge, and it also holds suitable for performing art. The Guru-Shishya parampara has been an inevitable part of education in ancient Indian culture and has continued until today as there can be no substitute for a Guru to impart knowledge to his Shishya. The guru-shishya tradition has been the backbone of many generations in the past. It has honed several great icons in the country. The guru moulds the shishya’s character, versatility, confidence, strength and overall vision of life which help them to succeed.

Last but not least, share your thoughts on this event with Routes2Roots.

Routes 2 Roots event was unique as we were invited to address children from all over the country and with my son and granddaughter-three generations on one stage showcasing the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak. It was an opportunity for me to guide the children with real-time interaction and that too in so many numbers from different parts of the country on one stage.

ALSO READ-Kathak is like a meditation, a sadhana’