Birju Maharaj

Biography:  Pandit Birju Maharaj , originally known as Brijmohan Nath Mishra, was an Indian dancer, musician, vocalist, and representative of the Lucknow "Kalka-Bindadin" Gharana of Kathak dance. He was born on February 4, 1938, and passed away on January 16, 2022. His two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, as well as his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj, were all Kathak dancers who came from the Maharaj family. In addition, he performed vocally and learned Hindustani classical music. Maharaj initially assisted his uncle, Shambhu Maharaj, at the Bhartiya Kala Kendra, which subsequently became the Kathak Kendra in New Delhi. He then served as the latter's director for a number of years until retiring in 1998 and starting his own dance school, Kalashram, also in Delhi. India's second-highest civilian distinction, the Padma Vibhushan, was awarded to Birju Maharaj in 1986. Maharaj was married and had two sons and three daughters, totaling five kids. Maharaj got dialysis in his final years because of diabetes and kidney illness. Just under a pay period from his 84th birthday, on January 16, 2022, he passed due to a heart attack at his Delhi home.